James W. Iman - Iman Album II - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

American pianist James W. Iman specializes in music written since 1900 - and mostly, post-1945. His meticulous study of the scores and also the aesthetic concepts behind them allows him to find fresh approaches to well known works as well as an ability to present new music in a relatable and clearly authentic way. As The Cross-Eyed Pianist wrote, his performances give ' a very clear sense of his total commitment to this music and also how comfortable he fees in this repertoire.' This attention to the detail of the music and it's conception is particularly important in relation to the 20th century music of serialist and modernist schools which can be seen as purely mechanical without real artistic 'spirit'. This is the first of three recordings by Iman to be released by Metier and is a remastered re-issue of a disc from short-lived Belgian tag ZeD (The other two albums are new, recorded in the summer of 2022) and focuses on two composers of the Second Viennese School (Schoenberg and Webern); one from the Darmstadt School (Boulez) and French composer Gilbert Amy, a contemporary follower of the serialist movement, and greatly inspired by Webern though writing on a larger scale. His Piano Sonata provides a fitting yet distinct counterpoint to the granitic Third Sonata of Boulez, and with strong contrast provided by the relatively early work by Schoenberg and the typically concise miniatures by Webern.

Domenico Cimarosa was the most famous and popular Italian opera composer of the second half of the 18th Century. In the course of a brilliantly successful career he composed more than 65 operas as well as a significant number of other works.

Esteemed pianist James Iman releases his highly anticipated album, InchIman III,Inch marking the third instalment in his groundbreaking series. Delving into a diverse repertoire, Iman's latest offering showcases a unique blend of piano works that resonate with the complexities of the human experience.The genesis of InchIman IIIInch amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the resilience and creative introspection that defined it's conception. Originally planned for recording prior to the pandemic-induced lockdowns, the project encountered delays, allowing Iman ample time to refine and redefine it's thematic underpinnings. The resulting album is a testament to the profound evolution of artistic vision in the face of adversity.Iman's eclectic program transcends traditional narrative structures, inviting listeners into a labyrinth of musical abstraction where each piece engages in a nuanced dialogue with it's counterparts. From Klaus Huber's haunting exploration of silence in InchEin Hauch von Unzeit IIInch to Alban Berg's masterful interplay of chromaticism and counterpoint in his Piano Sonata Op. 1, InchIman IIIInch offers a multifaceted journey through the annals of musical expression.In Morton Feldman's InchLast Pieces,Inch Iman embraces the freedom afforded by the composer's experimental notation, weaving a tapestry of sound that defies conventional constraints. Emulating the randomness inherent in Feldman's ensemble works, Iman navigates the delicate balance between structure and spontaneity, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a realm of deliberate and enjoyable ambiguity.Betsy Jolas's enigmatic InchB for SonataInch serves as a fitting conclusion to the album, epitomizing the composer's innovative approach to form and rhythm. Through meticulously crafted rhythmic freedoms and evolving tonal landscapes, Iman breathes life into Jolas's intros