Solo Piano

Tchaikovskys contemporaries tell us that he was good enough to become a concert pianist, if he had chosen to follow that path. But he preferred to focus on composition, and rarely performed in public concerts. His interest in the piano is mainly to be found in his many pieces for the instrument, and since most of these were suitable for amateurs with solid skills, they sold well and played an important role in building up his fame. Despite this, some view Tchaikovskys solo piano works are not performed as regularly as his orchestral works.

Steven Brown - Music For Solo Piano (1984)
Avant-garde | EAC AccurateRip / FLAC / LOG, CUE | 170 MB | Album art | MP3 320kbps / 44100Hz | 42:42 | 69 MB
Steven Brown - Music For Solo Piano (1984)

The Tuxedomoon band was formed in 1977 out of San Francisco, with original members Steven Brown, Blaine Reininger, Peter Principle and Winston Tong establishing a sound and concept that to many listeners was just as much a part of the original Ralph records aesthetic as the much better-known Residents band. Tuxedomoon signed with Ralph and released the albums Half Mute and Desire in 1980 and 1981 respectively, during a period when the label was pumping a fortune into cryptic advertising in the type of mainstream periodicals previously off limits to indie labels. Soon thereafter, Brown and company relocated to Europe in order to focus on purely avant garde concerns, beginning with residencies in Rotterdam and Brussels. The group's subsequent output appeared on a grab-bag of labels, with the ambitious 1982 "Ghost Sonata", described as "an opera without words," remaining an opera withou a release for nearly a decade.

Edward Gregson is best known for his dazzling orchestral works and music for brass and wind bands, but this recording of his complete piano works to date reminds us of his equally impressive catalogue of works for soloists and chamber ensembles. Gregson shows us a more intimate side in his piano music. From the Lullaby composed while a student, to the Tippett-inspired Piano Sonata, we are charmed, moved and thrilled in equal measure by this programme of his complete music for solo piano. This recording marks the debut of distinguished pianist Murray McLachlan on Naxos.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the ideas, colours and emotions to be found in Ravel’s music, and it has been an honour to record his complete solo piano works and concertos” (Seong-Jin Cho)