Release Date: 12 July 2019
Label: C-Avi
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 4260085534036
Genres: Classical Solo Instrumental
Description
For his second album, pianist Benjamin Moser has chosen to present a well known work (Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition) alongside other works whcih are seldom performed (the arrangemtns by Earl Wild of songs by Gershwin and Rachmaninov).
"I have had the idea for this project since 2016. For the occasion of the 10th anniversary of my prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition and of my first CD with Russian music, I wanted to make another recording, a sort of "Volume 2" with Russian repertoire.
Within that framework I wanted to couple a well-known work with others that are more seldom performed: the Pictures at an Exhibition seemed like a good choice, since I had always wanted to play them – particularly in the original version, which I love. I wanted to couple them with Rachmaninoff's 1st Piano Sonata, a seldom-performed work which, in my opinion, is both marvelous and underrated. But then I discovered Earl Wild's arrangements of Rachmaninoff songs, and soon became thrilled with these technically demanding yet delightfully lyrical miniatures
A further inspiration, particularly for Gershwin's Preludes and Virtuoso Etudes, was provided by the focus on "America" chosen by the Ruhr Piano Festival, where, in the summer of 2017, I performed the programme now featured on this CD under the name "Songs and Pictures" in a live recital – a daunting challenge indeed!
Now, in cooperation with Deutschlandradio Berlin and AvI (to both of whom I extend my heartfelt thanks!), this CD recording now finally sees the light of day. I hope that it will bring much pleasure to everyone who deigns to listen!" - Benjamin Moser
Benjamin Moser has achieved great international success, appearing in solo recitals and as a soloist with renowned orchestras, and collaborating with conductors such as Andris Nelsons, Wojciech Rajski, and Fuad Ibrahimov. Benjamin appears on various volumes of the Ruhr Piano Festival recordings; CAvi-music released The Last Sonatas by Beethoven and Schubert.
Tracklisting
Andreas Willwohl & Daniel Heide
Laurence Kilsby & Ella O'Neill
Kilian Herold, Barbara Buntrock, Florian Donderer, Tanja Tetzlaff
Kathrin Zukowski, KammerMusikKoln
Katharina Konradi, Catriona Morison, Ammiel Bushakevitz
Antje Weithaas, Denes Varjon
Premysl Vojta, Florence Millet, Ye Wu
Herbert Schuch, WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne
Benjamin Moser
