Par ZELENSKI WLADYSLAW. Wladyslaw Zelenski had the Six Character Pieces for piano, op. 17 ready around 1871, although it is quite possible that he composed them earlier, even in 1864. Such is indicated by the opus number. At that time he was giving opus numbers to works in chronological order of composition. This set is dedicated to Auguste Auspitz-Kolár, a pianist whom Zelenski could have met on one of his trips to Vienna. The composer published these works in 1872, with Gotthard of Vienna, in two books under the common title Sechs Charakterstücke. The present edition is based on Ludwig Doblinger?s Viennese edition (cat. no. 1221 comprises the Praeludium, Promenade and Tanz, cat. no. 1222 the Canon, Scherzo and Abschied). The compositions collected in Zelenski?s opus 17 have been unjustly forgotten. Their undeniable qualities include advanced harmonies and expressive melodic writing, as well as a wide range of textural means and composition techniques. Quite ?densely? written, these miniatures may prove challenging, but the right fingering eliminates many difficulties of performance. The first book of the Six Character Pieces opens with a Prelude. Here the voices are often led in thirds, sixths and octaves. This work is ideally suited to practising parallel intervals, but with its expressive qualities it can also be successfully played in a recital by a mature pianist. The second piece, entitled Promenade, displays a distinct ABA form. The composer gradually builds up to a climax, beginning with an initially innocent motif and an intricate right-hand part. The Dance is the most complex of all the three pieces. Here the composer juxtaposes two different characters: a waltz in A flat major in the outer sections with a playful scherzando in the middle, led in E major. The virtuosic triplet progressions in a Chopinesque brillant style lend this miniature a light feel. The closing coda recapitulates the principal motifs. In the first book of Six Character Pieces, besides the Chopinesque subtleties, one also notes inspirations from the German Romantic tradition, while Zelenski himself comes across as an extremely interesting figure in Polish neoromanticism and a composer who elaborated his own original, distinctive style. Anna Miernik/ Répertoire / Piano

Eléments célèbres du Massachusetts sont représentés musicalement dans cette suite. Une promenade à travers Boston Common a une mélodie lyrique et ligne de basse fluide illustrant une promenade dans ce parc historique de la ville. Nantucket, la ville et l'île, est décrit admirablement dans Nantucket Nocturne, rappelle les nocturnes de Chopin. Le Tour de minuit de Paul Revere utilise triplets abondantes à imiter les battements de sabots rapides du cheval sur fameuse chevauchée de Paul Revere. Toutes les ouvre à bord avec les triades augmentées qui recréent le coup de sifflet d'un train au départ. Une basse de boogie et un rythme de swing contribuent à l'énergie et la vitalité du mouvement. / Piano

Cette collection est tout simplement un incontournable pour le pianiste. Tous les favoris classiques sont ici, de l'époque baroque à la romantique et moderne, tout habilement arrangés. / Piano