Kurtág, György - Couple egyptien en route vers l'inconnu

The two piano pieces were inspired by a statue which can be seen in the Egyptian Collection of the Louvre in Paris. The full-length portrait of the couple holding hands was carved in wood by the unknown master more than 4000 years ago (i.e. between 2350-2200, the time of the VIth dynasty's reign). We don't know who they are, where they come from, and we also don't know where they are going. All we see is that they belong together. And in Kurtág's music we can now also hear their quiet footsteps Kurtág wrote the pieces in April-May 2013. The first piece is dedicated to pianist Menahem Pressler, celebrating his 90th birthday that year, the second piece (Double) to the Frenchpianist-teacher, Valérie Haluk. The two pieces can be performed together or separately. This edition has been published for György Kurtág's 90th birthday. (Tünde Szitha)