Hjördis Thébault, soprano
Geneviève Laurenceau, violon
Lorène de Ratuld, piano
Charles Bouisset, piano
Jong Hwa PARK, piano
Henri Barda, piano

‘The work begins in a mood of funereal lamentation but suddenly explodes: a violent, rhythmic fugue, unleashed virtuosity. This instructive, varied programme benefits from top-flight interpretations.’

Marc Vignal, LE MONDE DE LA MUSIQUE 

‘Saphir Productions has set a very high standard with the world premiere recording of Olivier Greif’s Codex Domini. Completed 25 November 1994 (it was almost yesterday), this piano sonata is in the image of Greif’s entire output: unclassifiable! [...] Interpreted with great care and conviction by pianist Jong Hwa Park, Codex Domini attracts the ear the way a flamboyant painting attracts the eye. [...] Hjördis Thébault and Charles Bouisset are quite convincing, their highly expressive performance revealing the profundity and subtleties of this original workmanship.’

Jean-Charles Goldstuck, RES MUSICA 

‘Since his sudden death in May 2000, at the age of 50, Olivier Greif continues to surprise with recording revelations that are often spectacular. Such is the case here with the Second Sonata for violin and piano with which the composer completed his studies at the Conservatoire, when he was 17. Atypical for the period (1967), this work affirms the power of melody in kaleidoscopic writing that evokes Shostakovich and, more strangely, Kurtág, little known at the time. Just as enigmatic (owing to its use of references such as this Waldteufel waltz that served as the theme music for the Ciné-club programme on French television), Codex Domini confirms Greif’s gift for exorcistic amplification.’

Renaud Machart, LE MONDE 

Find the scores of Olivier Greif’s works on the Editions Symétrie website: