Louis Lortie - Piano Duets - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Having already mastered such French concertos as Poulenc's on record, the French-Canadian pianist Louis Lortie and Edward Gardner now explore with the BBC Philharmonic the vigorous and progressive world of Camille Saint-Saëns, offering the first of two volumes to contain his complete piano concertos. The brilliance, virtuosity, and technical perfection of Louis Lortie's playing encapsulate these unusual, yet exhilarating works. While the spirited, unconventional Concerto No. 1 centers around a slow movement consisting of a dialogue between the sober orchestra and virtuosic piano, the technical requirements of No. 2 are so high that Saint-Saëns himself after it's premiere admitted that his fluent technique was not quite up to the challenge. Finally, the unusual form and mixed musical ideas of No. 4 make for a uniquely dramatic, passionate, and dream-like experience.

Louis Lortie - Lortie Plays Chopin 1/ Nocturnes Scherzos Sonata 2 [COMPACT DISCS] date 05/25/2010

An ambitious project recorded in 1979, Italo-disco funk outfit Ferrara released InchWuthering HeightsInch with lyrics written by Phylliss Ahlert based on Emily Bronte's famous novel. Arranged, composed, conducted and produced by John Ferrara; the album features a stellar cast of musicians including Bob Babbit and Neil Jason on bass; vocalists Angela Bofill, Irene Datcher, Curt Richards, Diane Wilson and Miles McMillen; Bob Cadway and Steve Bill on guitars; percussionists Jeff Kraus and Warren Odze; Lou Forestier on keyboards; Mike Levenson on vibes and bells; and a huge cast of horn and reed players including Brooks Tillotson, Greg Williams, Bob Smith, Joe Stelluti, Ralph Olson, Rick Centalonza, George Flynn, Keith O'Quinn, Danny Cahn, Bob Hahn, Sam Burtis and Bob Milliken. The album has gone on to become a highly sought after collector's item on vinyl among fans of classic disco, and is now a welcome addition to the digital realm. All selections have been newly remastered.