The sublime piano music of Dutilleux, the doyen of French contemporary composition (born 1916). "De l'ombre et de silence" offers a comprehensive overview of Dutilleux's highly original and energetic work for one and two pianos ("Figures de Resonances"). from his small output of polished masterworks, Robert Levin, a personal friend of Dutilleux's, chooses a sampling from his early period to the late eighties. Dutilleux's music follows the ideals of beauty and poetic mystery - structurally complex but full of coloristic and rhythmic appeal. Robert Levin (born 1947) is an internationally reputed expert on classical period practise of improvised embellishments and cadenzas, his Mozart recordings with Christopher Hogwood and Beethoven concerti with John Eliot Gardiner are legendary. On ECM he's been star violist Kim Kashkashian's partner for decades, notably on 2007's best-selling Asturiana.