La Mandragore ("The Mandrake")
"Under the gallows grows the mandrake. At midnight, when the moon is full, it is picked beneath the hanged man who swings..."
The mandrake: a Mediterranean plant used in witchcraft Due to its mot in the shape of a homunculus, it is believed to have magic powers.
The music: a spiral centred on several ostinati of rhythm, colour and timbre - five "spectral" chords of variable appearance turn in the arms of the spiral.
This piece was commissioned by pianist Tomoko Yazawa and the French Ministry of Culture.

Tristan Murail

Recordings:
1 CD Metier, MSVCD92097
Comme un oeil suspendu et poli par le songe - Estuaire - Territoires de l'oubli - Cloches d'adieu, et un sourire... - La Mandragore - Les Travaux et les jours
Marilyn Nonken (piano)

1 CD Accord, AC205752
Tristan Murail: La Mandragore - Cloches d'adieu, et un sourire... - Jean-Marc Singier: Elans, saccades, et biais du flux - Gérard Pesson: Vexierbilder Rom - Dominique Troncin: Ciel ouvert - Jacques Lenot: Ciels (travercés) - Esquisse du Prélude 12 - Hugues Dufourt: An Schwager Kronos
Dominique My (piano)