Yu Kosuge - Earth - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Acclaimed Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge unveils Wind, the third in her series of four Orchid Classics albums related to the four elements (Water, Fire, Wind, Earth). Kosuge's inspiration for these releases stems from her relationship with the music of Beethoven, who was drawn to Greek legends. This led Kosuge to the Greek concept of the four elements as the basis of these albums. Beethoven is one of a varied selection of composers featured on Wind; Yu Kosuge performs his blustery Piano Sonata Op. 31, No. 2, known as 'The Tempest'. There are evocative pieces from the French Baroque, by Couperin, Rameau and Daquin, and from the world of French Impressionism with three of Debussy's fleet-footed Préludes. The is completed with a piece by contemporary Japanese composer Akira Nishimura, and the atmospheric In the Mists by Janácek. InchApart from technical perfection, which is not that unusual today, she possesses a stunning palette of expression and an exquisite and pearly touch. Inch (Piano News) Album Tracks 1. From First Book of Harpsichord Pieces 2. From Third Book of Harpsichord Pieces 3. From Second Book of Harpsichord Pieces 4. Kalavinka 5. Piano Sonata Op.31 No.2 InchTempestInch 6. From Préludes, Book 1 7. In the Mists

Album Tracks 1. O, Colored Earth 2. Endangered 3. Hurt Not the Earth 4. Webassin 5. Istimbe 6. Pipestone Peace Pipe I. Pipestone - Jeffers Petroglyphs 7. Pipestone Peace Pipe II. Peace (For the Peacemakers) 8. Pipestone Peace Pipe III. Pipe - Dance of the Healing Breath 9. Raven and Crow - Medicine Birds I. the Mask We Call Ourselves 10. Raven and Crow - Medicine Birds II. the Painting of the Birds (Why Raven Is Black) 11. Raven and Crow - Medicine Birds III. Raven Unravels the Night Sky and Frees the Stars 12. Raven and Crow - Medicine Birds IV. Heckle and Jeckle, 'Eat Crow 13. Raven and Crow - Medicine Birds V. Crow Cadenzas and Prayer Council 14. Raven and Crow - Medicine Birds VI. Canoe of Life

Celebrated Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge embarks on an exciting project four releases inspired by the Greek concept of the four elements, Water, Fire, Air, Earth. Many composers have been drawn to the properties of these elements when seeking inspiration for their music, but Kosuge's theme goes deeper, dating back to her successful Beethoven cycle InchWhen you understand that Shakespeare's plays, read ardently by Beethoven, refer to Greek mythology, or that Beethoven himself composed some works based on the Prometheus myth, you would know that an artist who is searching for human nature would surely look to Greek mythology or philosophy...Inch In Water, Yu Kosuge interprets a rich array of repertoire, from Liszt and Wagner to acclaimed contemporary composer Dai Fujikura. The 'barcarolle' takes it's rocking rhythms from the motion of a boat we hear examples by Chopin and Fauré, as well as Venetian Gondola 'Songs Without Words' by Mendelssohn. Album Tracks 1. Songs Without Words Op. 30 No. 6 in F Sharp minor (Venetian Gondola Song No. 2) 2. Barcarolle No. 5 in F Sharp minor, Op. 66 3. Songs Without Words Op. 30 No. 5 in a Minor (Venetian Gondola Song No. 3) 4. Barcarolle No. 10 in a Minor, Op. 104 No. 2 5. Songs Without Words Op. 19 No. 6 in G minor (Venetian Gondola Song No. 1) 6. Barcarolle No. 11, Op. 105 in G minor 7. Jeux D'eau 8. Waves 9. Barcarolle in F Sharp Major, Op. 60 10. Rain Tree Sketch I 11. Rain Tree Sketch II In Memoriam Oliver Messiaen 12. Les Jeux D'eau a la Villa D' Este from InchAnnées de Pèlerinage IiiInch, S. 163-4 13. Ballade No. 2 in B minor, S171 14. Isoldes Liebestod from InchTristan Und IsoldeInch