Études pour Piano (-premier livre-) / "Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus"

In 1985 György Ligeti created six piano studies. The exceptionally new of these studies is the possibility of having one player generate the vision of several different simultaneous tempo layers. The extremely high level of difficulty of these studies demands the pianist's utmost virtuosity. With Volker Banfield, Ligeti found the right pianist for his studies. The fourth study, 'Fanfares', is dedicated to Banfield.
Olivier Messiaen's 'Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus', too, makes huge demands on the pianist. Five pieces were selected for this production. They demand not only the pianist's utmost virtuosity, but also intense listening into the most subtle sound structures. Another proof of the excellent pianistic qualities of Volker Banfield who is always tempted by really demanding challenges. In addition, he is at least just as fascinated by the mystic-ecstatic side of the music.