Radiant Lotus

David Lanz & Michael Jones - Piano Solos - Solstice [Narada Lotus, 1985]
EAC Rip | FLAC, IMG+CUE, LOG | 126MB | Covers, Booklet | TIFF (LWZ) 300ppi | 6 MB
New Age | 1985 | Label: Narada Lotus | Catalog Number: ND-61008 | RAR 10% Rec. | RS.com

New age pianists split performance duties down the center on this holiday album. Each chose to perform an extended variation/improvisation, plus a shorter song — only four tracks in all. Jones performs an eleven-and-a-half minute variation on "Good King Wenceslas" and the radiant "Carol of the Bells." The "Wenceslas" variations are not the typical jolly-good version you might hear from carolers. Jones opens up the vistas of passages giving a sense of warmth. Then he will flit the melody like the wind swirling snowflakes. At these moments, you might forget about the tune, but of course the warmth of the noble melody is repeated. "Carol of the Bells" peals out the theme immediately, and Jones bases the variations on rhythmic patterns rather than the melody; he reinvites the melody in a somber tone. David Lanz's "What Child is This" is delicate and reverential. The album ends with a dynamic 12-minute variation on the famous theme from Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major." Because of the abstractions in the variations, this album will be suitable for those occasions where you want suggestions of Christmas, but don't want to go overboard.

Carol Wright, All Music Guide

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The Parry revival gathers pace. This is the first disc in a Chandos series which is to embrace the five symphonies and some of the choral works, including the rare and lovely The Lotus Eaters. A special significance attaches to it because the conductor is not British. Who would have expected a Swiss conductor, Matthias Bamert, to explore such a rare English preserve as the Parry symphonies? It is an encouraging act of faith, and the quality of the performances and interpretations is such as springs not from duty but from conviction and enthusiasm. Chandos give the music one of their clear and faithful recordings, with admirable balance and slight resonance.