The 28 pieces that make up 'Musica callada', divided into four books, were written from 1959 to 1967. They can be seen as a musical testament, traversing the 20th century, avoiding the crowds, fashions and great avant-garde battles. Mompou himself thought 'Musica callada' contained "most of his design aesthetic." A selection of works by the great Spanish photographer Chema Madoz underlines the intention of the composer: economy of means, black and white, staging everyday objects...
Jean-François Heisser has a rounded and innovative career as a pianist, conductor and teacher. Born in Saint-Etienne, he was awarded 6 first prizes at the Paris Conservaire. He was the disciple and heir of Vlado Perlemuter and Henriette Puig-Roger before studying with the late Maria Curcio.
He is renowned for his work on modern and historical instruments: under the baton of François Xavier Roth, and his orchestra Les Siècles, also on Actes Sud, he alternates between modern instruments (the Bartok 3 Concertos) and historical ones (Saint-Saens).
Jean-François Heisser is president of the Maurice Ravel Academy in Saint-Jean de Luz and artistic director of the Soirées Musicales in Arles.
