Laura Melton - Piano Music - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

In his piano music, as in his symphonies and string quartets, the English composer David Matthews (b. 1943) marries the idiom of classical tradition with that of his own day. His 2009 Piano Concerto, Mozartian in spirit, contains both a tango and a blues; his Piano Sonata of 1989 includes jazz elements, and his 1997 Variations feature both further blues and a homage to Beethoven. The mood of the music on this CD ranges from contemplative introspection to fiery, rhythmic energy. David Matthews describes the Finnish pianist Laura Mikkola as 'a marvelous exponent of my music'. This disc is released to mark David Matthews' 70th birthday in March. Album Tracks 1. Con Moto Moderato - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 2. Tango Tempo Di Tango Energico - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 3. Elegy Largo E Mesto - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 4. Allegro Con Spirito - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 5. Allegro Molto E Ritmico 6. Andante 7. Allegro 8. Theme Allegro 9. Var. 1 L'istesso Tempo 10. Var. 2 Poco Più Sostenuto 11. Var. 3 Vivace E Leggiero 12. Var. 4 Un Poco Solenne 13. Var. 5 Presto Leggiero 14. Var. 6 Allegro Moderato 15. Var. 7 Allegro Drammatico 16. Var. 8 Scherzando 17. Var. 9 Molto Vivace 18. Var. 10 Scorrevole 19. Var. 11 Presto Ludovicioso 20. Var. 12 Allegro 21. Var. 13 Allegro Di Galoppo 22. Var. 14 L'istesso Tempo 23. Var. 15 Con Molta Anima 24. Var. 16 Slow Blues 25. Var. 17 Allegretto Con Precisione 26. Var. 18 Andante Appassionato 27. Var. 19 Poco Maestoso 28. Var. 20 Moderate Blues 29. Var. 21 Allegro 30. Var. 22 Lento E Mesto 31. Var. 23 Quasi Recitativo, Con Licenza 32. Var. 24 Andantino Semplice 33. With Steady, Calm Movement 34. Esultante 35. Tempo Di Tango

Norwegian composer SVEIN HUNDSNES has written a considerable number of works ranging from concertos to pieces for young musicians. His piano music is stylistically wide-ranging and occupies a significant place in his oeuvre. Piano Sonata No. 2 exemplifies his practice of working from tiny core motifs as he makes a series of connections between each vivid movement. Syncopated rhythms animate Vinterdanser ('Winter Dances') - a sequence of round dances; whereas torches swirling in the air, a cradle song and clouds of illuminated water particles are magically evoked in Nuances de Lumière ('Shades of Light'). Finnish pianist Laura Mikkola, continues her critically acclaimed discovery, in this second volume of Hundsnes' piano works. Album Tracks 1. Piano Sonata No. 2~Con moto 2. Piano Sonata No. 2~Allegro vivo 3. Piano Sonata No. 2~Pochissimo rubato 4. Piano Sonata No. 2~Moderato quasi allegro ma un poco rubato 5. Vinterdanser (Winter Dances)~Molto animato 6. Vinterdanser (Winter Dances)~Allegretto con grazia 7. Vinterdanser (Winter Dances)~Esitante 8. Vinterdanser (Winter Dances)~Con moto 9. Vinterdanser (Winter Dances)~Moderato con anima 10. Nuances De Lumière (Shades of Light)~Jongleurs de feu (Jugglers with Torches) 11. Nuances De Lumière (Shades of Light)~Prélude et Berceuse (Prelude and Cradle Song) 12. Nuances De Lumière (Shades of Light)~La Danse des Ombres (Dance of Shadows) 13. Nuances De Lumière (Shades of Light)~Une aprés midi à La Duquesa (Afternoon in La Duquesa)

Album Tracks 1. Isle of Bliss 2. Tranquillo 3. Adagio Assai 4. Energico 5. In Viaggio 6. Sognando E Libero 7. Uccelli Sulle Passioni