Chaminade, Cecile

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Calming

The Essential James Galway

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greatest Hits, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000F8OIFU
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

Canon- featuring John Georgiadis
Gayane; Act III; Scene 7 - Expiation; Sabre Dance- featuring Myung-Whun Chung
Concertino for Flute and Piano, Op. 107- featuring Phillip Moll
Song of the Seashore (Hamabe No Uta)
Tha Mtation- featuring David Measham
Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067; Minuet and Badinerie- featuring Charles Gerhardt
Dolly Suite, Op. 56; Berceuse- featuring David Measham & Daniel Measham
The Carnival of Venice- featuring Phillip Moll
Suite bergamasque; Clair de lune- featuring David Measham
Concerto No. 2 for Flute & Orchestra, K. 314 in D; Rondeau: Allegro- featuring Sir Sir Neville Marriner
Sonata in E-Flat, BWV 1031; Siciliana
Orfeo ed Euridice; Act II; Dance of the Blessed Spirits- featuring Charles Gerhardt
Peer Gynt, Suite No.1; Morning- featuring David Measham
Syrinx- featuring Graham Oppenheimer and Marisa Robles
Concerto, Op. 8, No. 1 in E "Spring"; Allegro
The Tale of Tsar Saltan; The Flight of the Bumblebee- featuring Charles Gerhardt
My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From "Titanic")- featuring Mike Mower

Tracks:

El Condor Pasa (If I Could)- featuring Vincent Fanuele
I Will Always Love You
Ashokan Farewell- featuring Phil Coulter
The Girl from Ipanema
Wind of Change
Annie's Song- featuring Charles Gerhardt
The Wind Beneath My Wings- featuring Vincent Fanuele
Memory (From "Cats")
Riverdance- featuring Phil Coulter, and Therese Timoney
Tango del Fuego
Beauty and the Beast- featuring Julian Lee
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (From "The Lion King")- featuring Mike Mower
Shenandoah
Waltzing Matilda- featuring Mike Mower
The Pink Panther- featuring Henry Mancini
Baby Elephant Walk- featuring Henry Mancini
Danny Boy- featuring The Chieftains

Customer Reviews:

Calming .......2006-06-13

This is the kind of album for the cold rainy days in bed. A change from the load stuff we have today. Buy this and cuddle in bed.

Average customer rating:

Great Music
Love this CD!

Music For My Friends

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romantic Flute Concertos
James Galway ~ Flute Sonatas - Franck · Prokofiev · Reinecke / with M. Argerich · P. Moll
Bach: Flute Sonatas
The Legendary James Galway: Man With the Golden Flute
My Magic Flute

ASIN: B000003GAU
Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

Sonata For Flute & Piano, Op. 15 'La Flute de Pan': I: Pan et les bergers
Sonata For Flute & Piano, Op. 15 'La Flute de Pan': II: Pan et les oiseaux
Sonata For Flute & Piano, Op. 15 'La Flute de Pan': III: Pan et les nymphes
Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino: Andante pastoral
Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino: Scherzettino
Nocturne et Allegro scherzando: Nocturne: Andante
Nocturne et Allegro scherzando: Allegro scherzando
Il Carnevale di Venezia, Op. 77
Andante et Rondo: Andante
Andante et Rondo, Op. 25: Allegretto con moto
Cantabile e Presto: Cantabile: Andante ma non troppo
Cantabile e Presto: Presto
Fantaisie
Il pastore svizzero
Concertino For Flute And Piano, Op. 107

Customer Reviews:

Great Music.......2001-09-05

This is a great example of what Galway is capable of. Any lover of classical music will greatly appreciate this wonderful cd. With standard french and italian repertorie pieces, the selection of music in this cd is superb. All of the selections are perfect examples of James Galway's amazing virtuosity. If you are a flutist or musician, JG fan, or just the everday listener, I srongly reccomend the purchase of this cd.

Love this CD!.......2001-07-30

I am a 14 year old flute player & Flute CD collector. This is definately a must have for any collection of James Galway CDs. Very enjoyable listening. :) hope u like it~

Average customer rating:

Piano Music by Cécile Chaminade, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000B86578
Release Date: 2005-11-08

La Flûte Enchantée: French Pieces for Flute & Orchestra

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La Flûte Enchantée: French Pieces for Flute & Orchestra

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000000AKL
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Concerto For Flute And String Orchestra: Andante cantabile
Concerto For Flute And String Orchestra: Largo
Concerto For Flute And String Orchestra: Allegro risoluto
Concertino For Flute And Orchestra Op. 107
Ballade For Flute, String Orchestra And Piano
Suite de trois morceaux Op. 116: Allegretto
Suite de trois morceaux Op. 116: Idylle
Suite de trois morceaux Op. 116: Valse
Airs de ballet d'Ascanio:Adagio et Variation: Poco adagio - espressivo - Molto espressivo
Airs de ballet d'Ascanio:Adagio et Variation: Andantino
Concerto For Flute And Orchestra: Allegro
Concerto For Flute And Orchestra: Andante
Concerto For Flute And Orchestra: Allegro scherzando

Average customer rating:

SONGS OF INNOCENCE
Anne Sofie brings Chaminade's songs to light and life!
Delightful
Musical Archaeology of a Very High Order

Mots D'Amour: Songs By Cecile Chaminade
Anne Sofie von Otter , Cécile Chaminade , and Bengt Forsberg
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Anne Sofie von Otter - Folksongs (Dvorak, Kodaly, Britten, Grainger, Larsson, Hahn)

ASIN: B00005OM82
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

Melodies: Ronde D'amour: 'Ah! Si L'amour Prenait Racine'
Melodies: La Lune Paresseuse: 'Dans Un Rayon De Crepuscule'
Melodies: Sombrero: 'Qu'elle Etait Mutine Et Coquette'
Melodies: Mignonne: 'Mignonne, Allons Voir Si La Rose'
Melodies: L'Anneau D'argent: 'Le Cher Anneau D'argent'
Melodies: Ma Premiere Lettre: 'Helas! Que Nous Oublions Vite'
Melodies: L'Amour Captif: 'Mignonne, A L'amour J'ai Lie Les Ailes'
Melodies: Attente (Au Pays De Provence): 'Je Ne Sais A Quoi Je Reve'
Melodies: Voisinage: 'Je N'avais Pas Encor Vingt Ans'
Melodies: Bonne Humeur: 'Nous Marchions Sous La Fine Pluie'
Melodies: Alleluia: 'J'avais Doute De Votre Amour'
Melodies: Malgre Nous: 'Ce N'est Pas la Faute A Nous Deux'
Melodies: Nice-La-Belle: 'Quand Ton Ciel Se Dore'
Melodies: Menuet: 'Dans Votre Robe A Grands Paniers'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Te Souviens-tu?: 'Te Souviens-Tu De Ta Promesse'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Aupres De Ma Mie: 'Si J'etais L'oiseau Leger'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Viens! Mon Bien-Aime!: 'Les Beaux Jours Vont Enfin Renaitre'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Si J'etais Jardinier: 'Si J'etais Jardinier Des Cieux'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Villanelle: 'Le Ble Superbe Est Rentre'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Mots D'amour: 'Quand Je Te Dis Des Mots Lasses'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Ecrin: 'Tes Yeux Malicieux'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Espoir: 'Ne Dis Pas Que L'espoir'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Chanson Triste: 'Dans Les Profondes Mers'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Je Voudrais...: 'Je Voudrais Etre Une Fleur'
Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: L'Ete: 'Ah! Chantez, Chantez!'
Pieces For Violin & Piano: Serenade Espagnole Op.150
Pieces For Violin & Piano: Rondeau Op.97
Pieces For Violin & Piano: Capriccio Op.18
Pieces For Two Pianos: Valse Carnavalesque Op.73
Pieces For Two Pianos: Pas Des Cymbales Op.36 No.2
Pieces For Two Pianos: Danse Paienne Op.158

Amazon.com

Just take it as read that Anne Sofie von Otter is in her usual captivating form. Her legions of fans needn't think twice before acquiring this fascinating new album. What, though, of the music itself? Pianist and composer Cécile Chaminade, born in Paris in 1857, is known to aficionados as a composer of piano miniatures, a fact reflected in what has crept into the recording catalogue over the years. Here, though, are the fruits of pianist Bengt Forsberg's enthusiasm for the songs. And irresistible they are, too. How on earth have such imaginative, charming, elegant, and beautifully crafted melodies (all on the subject of amour) escaped widespread acknowledgement for so long? There's a wide range of moods, from the bubbling "Malgré Nous" and the whimsical "L'Amour captif" to the passionate "Te souviens-tu?" and the reflective, bittersweet "Ma première lettre." As you might expect from a pianist-composer, the accompaniments are delightful, a fact relished to the full by Forsberg. Von Otter identifies with every phrase (barring the odd rather unseemly scoop) and emotion. Various short pieces for violin and piano, and two pianos, provide an engagingly performed bonus. --Andrew Green

Customer Reviews:

SONGS OF INNOCENCE.......2005-05-21

As it happens, I have been moderately familiar with the music of Cecile Chaminade for a number of years, so perhaps I can give anyone curious but uncertain what to expect some idea of what he or she will find on this disc. Chaminade seems to have been totally celibate her entire life. She eventually abandoned music for exhausting work as a hospital administrator in the first world war. Debilitation due to this cause and, according to the sleeve note, to an excessively vegetarian diet led to her losing a foot through amputation, but she lived on until age 87, dying in 1944. Her musical style is in many obvious senses conservative. The harmonic advances of Debussy and Ravel, and even of Faure, find no echo in her work. The style is very French, and there may be some influence of Saint-Saens, but for me there are odd reminiscences of Berlioz, himself a lot more innocent in many ways than he liked to let on.

The 25 love songs here are, with only one exception unless my ears deceive me, in major keys. The only poet whose name is familiar to me is Ronsard, and the sentiments are chaste and asexual from start to finish. Despite that they manage to sound very Parisian and ooh-la-la. They are not pale and maidenly but full of high spirits and energy. There are no dark shadows even in the minor-key number, and not a hint of the worldly-wisdom of Jane Austen. The piano parts are boldly written and occasionally quite demanding, and there is also a violin obbligato in the Minuet. In addition we are given three violin/piano duos (one arranged by Kreisler) and three slightly larger works for two pianos, in which it would be possible to hear the idiom of Saint-Saens but not for certain.

Anne Sofie von Otter's expression in the photographs will tell you at a glance how she intends to go about the songs. Her voice is nothing like Piaf's of course, and the songs would not bring the house down at the Paris Olympia, but she gets as near to that style as artistic integrity allows. Her French sounds very good indeed to me, and she gives Chaminade everything she has got, all vivacity, extroversion and joie-de-vivre. Chaminade seems to have nothing to regret either.

The other artists distinguish themselves thoroughly. The feel of enjoyment about this recital comes through as strongly from Bengt Forsberg's vigorous and dexterous piano-playing as from the singer herself. The violin parts are done very well, joining in the general mood, and there is a fine sturdy contribution on the second piano from Peter Jablonski. Everything about this disc delighted me from start to finish. The recorded sound is just about ideal for the purpose, and even the liner note is very good. Full texts of the songs are of course provided, with English translation and German Uebersetzung. One of the songs proclaims `Je voudrais etre une fleur'. It's a bit late now, but I sometimes wonder whether innocence doesn't have more to be said for it than we are vectored into believing in these enlightened days.

Anne Sofie brings Chaminade's songs to light and life!.......2004-03-20

Anne Sofie brings Chaminade's vocal music to an elevated level with Berlioz, Faure and Duparc in the classical world. Most of these pieces were unheard of until von Otter brought them to the public's attention with her beautiful interpretation of Chaminade's melody and text. Bengt Forsberg provides support that opens the gateway to a beautiful and expressive performance of these melodies. This is truly a treasure for any classical vocal library!

Delightful.......2003-12-10

This delightful CD of music by Cecile Chaminade, was the inspiration of Bengt Forsberg. He spent decades searching for and "collecting her music in second-hand music shops." While collaborating with Anne Sofie von Otter on another program, Forsberg showed her these neglected songs. The result was this wonderful CD. Probably you should listen to this CD for the Chaminade melodies. (25 of the 140 songs are presented here). But, Forsberg has also recorded the pieces for violin & piano and pieces for two pianos with Spaft, and Jablonski. The inclusion of these pieces, gives us a more complete idea of Chaminade's range of composition.

The artistry of von Otter, is captivating, and Forsberg clearly has an affinity for Chaminade's romantic French music.

It is easy to record and sell the tried and true, but Anne Sofie von Otter and Bengt Forsberg (and DG) have done something risky in recording Chaminade's music. She is not Mozart. At the time of this writing this recording ranked 38,201 on Amazon.com's sale ranking system. And so, perhaps it will not payoff for the artists and the company involved. Perhaps this CD will not be available for long. Perhaps. But IT IS available NOW, and so I encourage anyone who reads this to find a way to hear this delightful music in these nearly perfect performances.

I highly recommend it.

Musical Archaeology of a Very High Order.......2002-05-30

It is hardly news to say that Anne Sophie von Otter is quite, quite amazing; she has, in her way, reached the point that a celebrated stage actress might, at which we would say that she could recite the telephone book and we would listen gratefully.

Fortunately for us she is instead singing the lovely songs of the undeservedly obscure Cecile Chaminade, whose exquisite and entirely retrograde songs are given their due and more in these sensitive and heartfelt performances. Several cheers at least should be given for the worthy contributions of pianists Bengt Forsberg and Peter Jablonski (the former on both song accompaniments and the instrumental tracks that end the album) as well for Nils-Erik Sparf on violin.

Tracks:

Arlequine Op. 53
Piece Romantique Op. 7 No. 1
Chanson Bretonne No. 5
Divertissement Op. 105
Consolation No. 5
Passacaille Op. 130
Nocturne Op. 165
Scherzo-valse Op. 148 (D'apres Op. 126 No. 6)
Sous Bois No. 2
Etude Symphonique Op. 28
Elegie Op. 98 (Feuillets D'album No. 3)
Gigue Op. 43
Au Pays Devaste Op. 155
Pastorale Op. 114
Libellules Op. 24
Valse Tendre Op. 119
Tristesse Op. 104
Impromptu No. 5
Tarentelle No. 6

Average customer rating:

Piano Music of Cécile Chaminade, Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EXZGRU
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Average customer rating:

Fantastic
a pianist's pianist performing musical gems...
Exquisite,elegant,nostalgic pieces we seem to have ignored

Stephen Hough's New Piano Album

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000031WGH
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-06-12

Stephen Hough plays with such heart that it's amazing he's still in one piece. His mastery of both lyrical and athletic genres is incredible. His recordings never fail to move me.

a pianist's pianist performing musical gems..........2002-08-15

While not as well known to the world at large, Stephen Hough is well known among pianists. He's had the knack for finding music that has been neglected and bringing it to light. The music on this CD is a collection of gems -- whose luster Hough brings to light. If you enjoy piano music, this is a "must have" disc.

Some anthologies, become tiresome. Not this one. This is an album you can put on and listen to -- and then listen to the whole disc again...and again. Then I've gone back and listened to some individual tracks still again. The music is compelling, and the performances are masterful.

Let's hope for another disc such as this from the great Stephen Hough.

Exquisite,elegant,nostalgic pieces we seem to have ignored.......2001-01-02

If you have thought the loftier magnetic emotive fields of postmodernity, its conceptual excesses as having abandoning the virtues of obvious enchantments,contentment and reveries as flowing backwards this selection here is an ardent affirmation. All the selections are a celebration of the lost world of piano elegance, of a deeply thought through timbral curiosity reserved for the character piece. We often have simply placed on the shelves of music history these elegant particles of emotion in search for loftier weightier heights via the symphony or concerto. I dare say that time has been wasted. The sentimental the lost time is here evidenced in all these selections, Schubert/Liszt Soirees de Viene easily transports one back, nostalgically for we are escaping here the turmoils of the Hapsburg and Hollenzollerns kingdoms. Likewise the ardent piano composer Leopold Godowsky here his "Alt Wien" is like a New Years celebration. You will find neglected parts of the repertoire as well here pursued by Hough. The Moszkowski is like a crosshanded tribute to Scarlatti, little impeccably crafted textures and pianistic colours are here in Etincelles. Hough's arrangement of Kalman's "Was weiss ein nie gekusster Rosenmund" is simply for seriouslovers of any persuaion, like Marlene Dietrich's "I am driven to you like a moth to a flame". Hough plays all this music with the visionary reserve the music needs, I can easily see this music being romanticized where certain chord progressions certain emotive inflections at the ends of phrases,are(rubatisized) milked for all their worth. Hough here keeps/maintains a discipline.

The character pieces here of the Russian soul has also been neglected,We wanting the East to only join the West in loftier subject matter. Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky,in pairs of Humoresques have inspired memorable experiences based on simple melodies. There are as ever bit as a challenge to create as their colossol concertos. It is a skill of a different sort,but one just as vigorous creativily and challenging.

Tracks:

Allegro - Martin Galling
Pastorale Con Variazioni - Martin Galling
Andante Moderato - Marylene Dosse
Largo - Marylene Dosse
Airs Slovaques, Allegro - Marylene Dosse
Allegro - Marylene Dosse
Scherzando - Marylene Dosse
Final - Marylene Dosse

Tracks:

Lento; Allegro - Marylene Dosse
Lento - Marylene Dosse
Allegro - Marylene Dosse
Concertstuck For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 40 - Rosario Marciano
Allegro Molto - Maria Littauer
Adagio - Maria Littauer
Allegro Con Spirito - Maria Littauer
Without Title - Claude Paillard Francaix
Andante - Claude Paillard Francaix
Without Title - Claude Paillard Francaix
Allegro - Claude Paillard Francaix

Customer Reviews:

At these low prices, this is an absolute STEAL!.......2005-07-22

Yes, there are better performances of most of these works out there somewhere. But this is the only place where you will get all of these great, stylistically-similar works all in one convenient, INEXPENSIVE package. Buy it.

When I was just beginning to amass my extensive classical music library about 12 years ago, this is one of those hidden gems I happened to find in a bargain bin. The Massenet and Chaminade concertos are fairly well-known pieces, and admirably represented here; very beautiful, lush pieces in the Romantic style. Pierne and Lalo, though fairly familiar composers, are not typically known for these concertos. That's a shame - these are GREAT compositions, similar in style to the Massenet and Chaminade (though the recording of the Pierne is admittedly somewhat muddy).

The Roussel and Francaix works are a bit more modern, of course, but very melodic and interesting, and well-played and recorded. The Boieldieu is a shorter, more Classical piece.

But the real deal here is the fantastic booklet that comes with the CDs, with in-depth notes that include the history of the composers, and extensive overviews of their important works. For someone like me who likes to mine deeper into the catalog of certain composers that interest me, these notes were essential in my acquisition of and appreciation for so much more music.

Only 4 stars because of the occasional performance or recording imperfection, but this is still a notable (and special) CD in my collection. Recommended!

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 9.3/10; Performance = 8/10; Production = 7/10; CD length = 10/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 8.7 ("4 stars")

Average customer rating:

A Little Gem for Aspiring Pianists and Lovers of Piano Music

Piano Favorites

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IOMO
Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2
Suite Bergamasque: Clair De Lune
Liebestraum No. 3
Nocturne In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1
Cradle Song, Op. 49 No. 4
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
Bagatelle In A Minor: Fur Elise
Moment Musical In F Minor, Op.94 No.3
Sheep May Safely Graze
Minuet In G, Op. 14 No. 1
Polonaise In A Flat, Op. 53
Revolutionary Etude In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 12
Consolation No. 3 In D Flat
Rustle Of Spring, Op. 32 No. 3
Scarf Dance (With Veil Dance)
Suite Andalucia: Malaguena
Waves Of The Danube: 'The Anniversary Song'

Customer Reviews:

A Little Gem for Aspiring Pianists and Lovers of Piano Music .......2006-09-30

This CD brings together a good number (17) of the most favored classical pieces prepared and played by piano students by the millions all over the world for lessons, for recitals, and, most importantly, simply for pleasure. The pieces also have been familiar to, and loved by, music listeners everywhere for many years; nearly all are standard offerings by concert artists in professional appearances and recordings, as well. Because of their wide popularity and solid musical substance and appeal, they represent a common basic esthetic repertory for pianists and piano music lovers.

To present these pieces we have Daniell Revenaugh, an American pianist and teacher, as well as a sometime conductor and inventor, of Berkeley, California. A quick search of the Internet provides little information about Mr. Revenaugh beyond mention of the present recording and one of the Busoni fourth piano concerto in which he conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra while John Ogdon plays the fiendishly difficult piano part. Fortunately, though, I remember Danny as a friend, a neighbor, and a fellow music student at Florida State University during the mid-1950s. (He and I once read a four-hands piano piece together in which he played the Primo part well and I flailed away trying to keep up on the Secondo part.) At the time he seemed fascinated with the idea of being a concert pianist--in particular, an outstanding virtuoso. (He had already, I think, studied with Egon Petri, star pupil of the pianistic giant Ferruccio Busoni.) Since I've had no subsequent contact with him, I am unable to comment on his career, but this CD shows him to possess a firm technique and laudable artistry in performance. He makes the piano sound good!

As I've made a stab, at least, at playing all the pieces included here, except those on tracks #4, #13, and #15, I looked forward to hearing them performed by an accomplished pianist on a fine instrument. On the whole I was not disappointed; indeed, I found welcome bits of revelation here and there, and felt any future attempts I might make at the pieces would be better informed for having heard this CD. (I should note that I've also heard recordings by the composers themselves of those by Rachmaninov, Paderewski, and Lecuona.)

What I appreciate most about Revenaugh's performances is his seriousness of artistic intent. He ignores the fact that these are old chestnuts banged away at, often excruciatingly, by generations of variously able or unable pianists. Instead, he approaches each one freshly as a valued work, without prejudice, condescension or cynicism, and gives it his best, thus breathing new life into these classics. I also appreciate his generous and informative liner notes on the pieces and, what is rare, on his approach to performing them.

While I found the disk to be quite convincing, satisfying, and worthwhile overall, I want to offer a few observations and opinions on selected items. I particularly liked his performances of the Rachmaninov prelude, the two Liszt pieces, the Chopin nocturne, and the Ivanovici waltz. I liked the Beethoven sonata and the Debussy, Brahms, Bach, Paderewski, Sinding and Lecuona items, as well. I found the Beethoven "Fuer Elise" rather too fast for my taste, though as a bagatelle it might warrant such lightness of touch. (I was grateful it wasn't sentimentalized.) I found the Schubert piece also a good bit too hurried, and felt it thus lost much of its Viennese charm and grace. I mostly liked the Chopin polonaise, but did not care for the slow-then-fast playing of the E Major section with its repeated bass figure; I'd have been happier if he'd chosen an intermediate tempo and stuck with it. (It's exciting enough without added histrionics.) The Chopin etude was OK, but, as Revenaugh mentions, the fast bass runs and arpeggios get a bit muddied by the too live acoustics. I'm not really familiar with the Chaminade piece, but I thought it sounded fine. I don't agree with R. that the Paderewski minuet is really a waltz; I think it's a concert minuet.

I do not know what today's cadre of great concert pianists might think of this disk--it is not in any case targeted to them. I do believe that many lovers of the piano and its music, whether players or not, can derive much esthetic enjoyment and edification from it. And to the current crop of budding young pianists, I would recommend most of the pieces as reasonable models for emulation. The few idiosyncratic performances may serve as vehicles for discussion of interpretational approach. Finally, with nearly 73 minutes of meat-and-potatoes piano classics, this CD has got to be a bargain!

Music Composers:

Music Composers

Music Composers