A supernova Connesson recording

RSNO and Stéphane Denève capture the cinematic ambiance in Connesson's Cosmic Trilogy while pianist Eric Le Sage shines on a new composition

Composer: Connesson
Repertoire:  Cosmic Trilogy; The Shining One
Artists: Eric Le Sage (pf), RSNO/Stéphane Denève
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Orchestral 
Label: Chandos CHAN 5076

In his Cosmic Trilogy, Guillaume Connesson (b1970) seeks to encapsulate the mysteries of the universe in the form of a symphony in three movements entitled ‘Aleph’ (symbol of the power of infinity), ‘A Glimmer in the Age of Darkness’ (encapsulating the beginnings of the universe) and ‘Supernova’, which portrays the awesome spectacle of a star’s death. Connesson captures the various events with cinematic precision and virtuosic allure, which the RSNO and Stéphane Denève respond to with infectious alacrity. Hot off the creative press, The Shining One is a pyrotechnical pianistic challenge despatched with nonchalant ease by Eric Le Sage.