Piano Recital: Waites, Althea - PRICE, F.B. / STILL, W.G. /

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

The first of three Metier CDs (so far) featuring the Piano Sonatas of Sir Michael Tippett alongside contemporary works, each with a different performer.

Chopin's four Ballades are among the greatest of his works, as is the Fantasia in F minor also included on this disk. The Ballades were composed between 1835 and 1843 and are generally believed to be based upon works by the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz. This is music in the style of the medieval troubador, with singing lyrical sections alternating with music of wild passions, big chords, chromatic passages, and virtuosic runs. The first and fourth ballades, in G minor and F minor, tend to be more stormy and passionate while the second and third, in F major and A flat major are more reflective and lyrical. Biret gives a beautiful rendition of this music with beautiful, free rhythm, attention to dynamics and phrasing, and a full use of the resources of the piano. She captures magnificently the wild, virtuosic concluding passages in the first and fourth ballades.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Tippett's marvelous one-movement 2nd sonata is joined by fine works by Saxton, Sackman and Connolly in the 2nd volume of the Metier British Piano Music series, in which a Tippett Sonata is presented amongst contemporary works.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Michael Schopper, who is known predominantly as a singer, performs here as a pianist.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music