Aaron Copland: Piano Music
This is a very important release for lovers of 20th century music, featuring the major solo piano works of one of America’s most revered composers, and includes all of Copland’s major piano works.
Pianist Raymond Clarke is one of Britain’s leading exponents of modern music. He has recorded 5 other CDs for our Divine Art, Diversions and Athene labels, feauring highly acclaimed performances of outstanding modern masterpieces.
Track Listing
-
Aaron Copland:
- Passacaglia (7:12)
- Piano Variations (11:18)
- Piano Sonata − I. Molto moderato (8:27)
- Piano Sonata − II. Vivace (4:34)
- Piano Sonata − III. Andante sostenuto (11:42)
- Piano Fantasy (33:20)
Reviews
“performances of considerable sympathy and insight… with a flawless technique… The recordings are particularly fine and the performances here do it full justice, piano tone being impressive. Raymond Clarke contributes his own scholarly and informative booklet notes. An important CD enthusiastically recommended.
” —Robert Matthew-Walker
“[an] impressive CD… The performances throughout are exemplary, each note being played with great precision and delicacy
” —John Pitt
“Clarke’s impressive technique is placed entirely at the service of the music, bringing lucidity even when the page is black with notes, never diluting the percussive qualities of the Piano Variations, or smoothing the jagged quality of the Sonata.
” —David Denton
“We need a definitive recording of the Piano Fantasy and Clarke is exactly the kind of performer to deliver it… As usual all Clarke’s interpretations are scrupulous … the slow music in the last movement achieves a magical atmosphere … In the Fantasy, as elsewhere, Clarke is in complete command of the passagework in this utterly uncompromising half-hour epic … First-class playing
” —Peter Dickinson
“Raymond Clarke now provides what is the most satisfying single disc of Copland’s piano music… altogether this collection leads the field. The recording is outstandingly vivid and realistic, with a full sonority in the bass. A most satisfying and rewarding collection. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (outstanding)
”
“rock-solid technique, a strong sense of purposeful movement and outstanding clarity… enthusiastically recommended
” —Anthony Burton
“My recording of the month, without a shadow of a doubt. For anyone who has yet to experience the wonders of Copland’s music for piano, here is the place to start
” —Colin Clarke
“Clarke…plays with intensity and conviction… the listener hangs on to almost every note – remarkable tension
” —Arthur Baker
“Clarke plays with immense authority…a performance to which I’ve returned again and again. Clarke turns the work into musical gold…a rare gift… a major achievement
” —Neville Cohn
“Raymond Clarke moves past the notes themselves and creates an imposing, even monumental, effect… .impressive technical mastery and structural insight.
” —Raymond S. Tuttle
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