James Barbagallo - Piano Music 1 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Many listeners will immediately recognize the opening piece on this disc, To a Wild Rose, one of MacDowell's best inspirations. However, even after a couple of hearings, they'll probably have trouble recognizing the rest of these pieces, none of which has the same kind of inspiration. MacDowell's deeply held belief that American music should copy European models was also his limitation. This music is historically important, but as a listening experience, it has the same effect as second-rate imitations of Grieg's Lyric Pieces. Barbagallo's lovely playing, a fine memorial to this regrettably short-lived artist, makes the music sound better than it really is, and the recorded piano tone is beautiful. Album Tracks 1. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 To a Wild Rose 2. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 Will-O'-The-Wisp 3. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 At An Old Trysting Place 4. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 In Autumn 5. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 From An Indian Lodge 6. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 To a Water-Lily 7. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 From Uncle Remus 8. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 A Deserted Farm 9. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 By a Meadow Brook 10. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51 Told at Sunset 11. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 To the Sea 12. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 From a Wandering Iceberg 13. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 A.D. MDCXX 14. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 Starlight 15. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 Song 16. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 From the Depths 17. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 Nautilus 18. Sea Pieces, Op. 55 In Mid-Ocean 19. Fireside Tales, Op.61 An Old Love Story 20. Fireside Tales, Op.61 Of Br'er Rabbit 21. Fireside Tales, Op.61 From a German Forest 22. Fireside Tales, Op.61 Of Salamanders 23. Fireside Tales, Op.61 A Haunted House 24. Fireside Tales, Op.61 By Smouldering Embers 25. New England Idyls, Op. 62 An Old Garden 26. New England Idyls, Op. 62 Mid-Summer 27