Andriessen / Nydegger - Piano Music - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Harpist Anne-Sophie Bertrand presents Amalie's Cosmos, an evocative journey through the salons of 19th-century Europe. At the heart of Berlin's vibrant cultural life in the early 19th century stood Amalie Beer, a wealthy patron, intellectual, and matriarch of one of Europe's most influential musical families. While history often remembers her son, Giacomo Meyerbeer, as a towering operatic figure, it was Amalie's salon that cultivated artistic, scientific, and political discourse, supported composers, and encouraged the careers of remarkable women such as Fanny Hensel and Pauline Viardot.Amalie's Cosmos revives the spirit of these Berliner salons through a carefully curated programme of works that echo their creativity and curiosity. From the intimate lyricism of Fanny Hensel and Glinka to the exotic colours of Debussy's Estampes, the virtuosity of Parish Alvars, and the contemporary homage to Paganini by Nimrod Borenstein, the album traces a delicate thread through time, place, and influence. The result is a shimmering musical tapestry that celebrates memory, artistry, and the enduring power of the salon as a space for inspiration and dialogue.

Piano Music - Piano Music [COMPACT DISCS] date 02/27/2008

The artists presented on this - Jan Ekier and Karol Szymanowski - were united by a fascination with Chopin's music, as well as inspiration from folk music, particularly the highlander folklore. Szymanowski's influence on the entirety of the Polish music was not to be overestimated and it also left it's mark on the artistic sensitivity of young Ekier. In the '30s, the composer was appreciated by critics and audiences alike. He also occupies a particular place on the artistic path of a young pianist, Wojciech Pyrc, a graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, and a laureate of numerous Polish and international competitions. On this , he interprets piano miniatures by Ekier, as well as Szymanowski's works, including the daunting and rarely performed Fantasy in C major, Op. 14.