The new triple album from sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque marks over fifty years of their illustrious recording career. This release, titled 55, contains 55 tracks, commemorating their impressive journey in music.

Back in 1969, at the Paris Conservatoire, the sisters first caught attention while practicing Visions de l’Amen, a challenging piece by their teacher, Olivier Messiaen. Messiaen initially asked if one of them would record the piece with his wife, but the sisters insisted on staying together as a duo. Messiaen agreed and supervised their first recording. A movement from this early recording concludes the new album.

The album features beloved works from their extensive catalog, with pieces by Dvořák, Fauré, Gershwin, Bernstein, and Debussy. However, it’s not just a retrospective. Nearly half of the tracks are fresh recordings, featuring compositions from women composers who deserve recognition.

Included are compositions by Grażyna Bacewicz and Ethiopian nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou. There’s also music by Lili Boulanger, sister of renowned teacher Nadia Boulanger. An evocative arrangement of “Troubled Water” by African American composer Margaret Bonds also features prominently.

Approximately half of the album features the sisters performing two-piano duets. This includes Manuel de Falla’s Spanish Dance No. 1 and James P. Johnson’s “Carolina Shout.” Their performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring is intense and dynamic.

The sisters also engage in four-handed repertoire, sharing a single piano. These pieces are often more intimate, with recordings of Ravel’s Mother Goose and Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants showcasing this delicate interaction. They explore lesser-known works, such as Marie Jaëll’s waltz, blending mystery with French elegance.

This expansive collection includes moments where the sisters step apart for solo performances. Katia collaborates with Chick Corea on “We Will Meet Again” and performs works by William Duckworth and Dora Pejačević. Marielle shines in pieces by Erik Satie, Howard Skempton, and Bryce Dessner of The National.

For over half a century, Katia and Marielle Labèque’s music has stood out for its extraordinary precision, tone warmth, and fearless style. The new album 55 is a testament to their influential role in redefining piano duo music.