A New Triple Album Celebrates Five Decades of Katia and Marielle Labèque’s Musical Journey

The Labèque sisters, Katia and Marielle, have released a new triple album marking over fifty years of their musical career. This album, titled 55, is a tribute to their journey in music and features 55 tracks reflecting their extensive history of recordings.

The sisters’ journey began in 1969 at the Paris Conservatoire. While practicing the complex two-piano piece Visions de l’Amen by Olivier Messiaen, the legendary composer overheard them. Although he initially proposed one of them record with his wife, they declined, determined to remain a duo. Ultimately, Messiaen supervised their debut recording, setting the foundation for their collaborative legacy.

The album is more than a retrospective. It showcases traditional repertoire favorites like Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances and Gabriel Fauré’s Dolly Suite, alongside arrangements of works by Gershwin, Bernstein, and Debussy. Intriguingly, nearly half of these tracks are brand new recordings. These fresh pieces emphasize works by female composers often overlooked, including Grażyna Bacewicz and Lili Boulanger. The inclusion of enigmatic pieces by Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou and Margaret Bonds highlights diverse musical traditions.

A notable highlight is their two-piano arrangements. The sisters perform dynamic renditions of Manuel de Falla’s Spanish Dance No. 1 and James P. Johnson’s Carolina Shout. Their version of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring is described as intense and unrestrained. Even in four-handed repertoire, such as Ravel’s Mother Goose and Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants, they exhibit an intimate, yet powerful style.

The set delves into lesser-known composers like Marie Jaëll, emphasizing the sisters’ versatility. Her Waltz, Op. 8, No. 8, played with a captivating mix of shadow and charm, stands out. Besides collaborative works, the album lets each sister explore individual paths. Katia duets with Chick Corea on Bill Evans’ We Will Meet Again and also interprets pieces by William Duckworth and Dora Pejačević. Marielle takes on solo ventures with works by Erik Satie, Howard Skempton, and Bryce Dessner.

The Labèques’ consistent hallmarks of precise, warm, and daring performances shine in 55. This album underscores their significant impact on piano duet music, proving their mastery across a vast array of styles and compositions.