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Wonderful to see John McCabe finally being recognised as a pianist. Recorded on a Bösendorfer in 1981, the sound of these revelatory Scarlatti and Clementi sonatas is astonishingly present. Nice to see more Scarlatti on the piano, too, especially since there are only two overlaps with Lucas Debargue’s superb new set. Both pianists revel in Scarlatti’s exploratory side. McCabe’s use of sustaining pedal and generous sound offer a full-fat experience. Debargue is leaner.

Both Horowitz and Michelangeli championed Clementi, and McCabe’s performances boast a special sort of advocacy, the finale of ‘Didone abbandonata’ (Op. 50/3) a case in point. McCabe sees Clementi’s music as powerful and multi-faceted. Witty, affectionate booklet notes complete an indispensible release.

—Colin Clarke

@divineartrecordingsgroup

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🙌 The debut single from soprano Esther Rayo and pianist Peter Grünberg is officially out now! Listen to “Al amor” from Fernando Obradors’ Canciones Clásicas Españolas, Vol. 1 on all top digital platforms today: listn.fm/estrellita [in bio] On 10 October, Métier is thrilled to present Michael Finnissy: Organ Works from acclaimed American organist Forrest Eimold! Don't miss Paul Hindmarsh's marvelous new piece in Classical Music Magazine on the importance of Britain's Brass Bands. A great primer for our new release, Discovering Wilfred Heaton! 3️⃣ Tracks from the 3 October release, Discovering Wilfred Heaton, are #nowplaying on Apple Music Classical and more! Don't miss both of our new Métier new releases on Deezer's New Classical Picks Playlist! ▶️ Listen now in our bio link. Today, Métier presents a “monumental” (The Wire) 4-disc box set from pianist Ian Pace in commanding performances of music by composer Michael Finnissy (b. 1946). On all platforms today at listn.fm/finnissypiano Métier Records is thrilled to release “Because They Have Songs” from composer Edward Cowie and featuring Gerard McChrystal and Richard Shaw! Out now on all platforms ▶️ listn.fm/becausetheyhavesongs “This monumental piano release features Michael Finnissy’s Verdi Transcriptions plus English Country-Tunes, and other compositions inspired by 19th century music. Soloist Ian Pace is a leading interpreter of Finnissy’s work, and has played his complete output for piano. Finnissy’s output is prolific, political and complex – he’s a leading late modernist.… luxuriant but challenging textures of the school often called new complexity.” —Andy Hamilton, The Wire Marvelous new MusicWeb International review for Edward Cowie: Because They Have Songs, before its release this Friday! “Buller is a composer who knows how to imbue feelings with ample warmth, colour and tension that keep the ear immersed in his sonic worlds. The musical language is largely tonal, with some roots in sacred choral traditions, yet with sufficient harmonic pungency to provide underpinnings of meaning to Leah Lax’s empathetic, urgent texts in the two extended works.… Conspirare, led by founding Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson, respond to all of Buller’s emotional gestures with utmost cohesion and flexibility, and the soloists – basses Michael Hawes and Simon Barrad and soprano Emily Yocum Black – are first-rate.” —Donald Rosenberg, @gramophonemagazine