Gershwin, Tansman & Boulanger

The acclaimed pianist David Greilsammer performs three pieces that celebrate the strong musical ties between Europe and America during the early part of the 20th century. The disc includes Polish-born composer Alexandre Tansman’s Piano Concerto No. 2, receiving its world premiere recording, Gershwin’s ever popular Rhapsody in Blue, and Nadia Boulanger’s rarely played Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra.

“pianist, conductor and orchestra make a compelling case for both the Tansman Second Concerto as a minor masterpiece well worth reviving, and the Boulanger Fantaisie as a fascinating glimpse into this justly revered teacher's "other life".” --Gramophone Magazine, March 2011

 

 “[Tansman's] Piano Concerto No 2, from 1927, is little short of a lost masterpiece of elegant, urbane Modernism. Following a performance of it, Tansman was accosted in his dressing-room by Gershwin, excitedly acclaiming him "a genius!", and no wonder” --The Independent, 30th September 2010 ****

“Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which Greilsammer plays with a blend of romance and rhythmic zest, is the most familiar of the pieces...[Tansman's] concerto was dedicated to Tansman’s great friend Charlie Chaplin, whose exuberance the music echoes in a performance that, in the piano and orchestral playing alike, has drive, wit and sparkle.” --The Telegraph, 22nd October 2010 ****

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The Fiddler of the Opera

Transcriptions from Operas of Bizet, Gershwin, Gluck, Mozart, Prokofiev, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rossini & R. Strauss

Gil Shaham is the leading violinist of his generation. He was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1990, and in 2008 he received the coveted Avery Fisher Prize. In 2012, Gil was named 'Instrumentalist of the Year' by Musical America, citing his “special kind of humanism”. Combine this “humanism” with a flawless technique and his generosity of spirit, and the musical results are nothing short of inspired.

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American Piano Concertos

"Wang, a young and rather glamorous Chinese pianist, knows how to play American music... Her approach is careful and technically amazing, but with plenty of fire as well. The orchestra matches her sound perfectly, too, in a flawless partnership... The soundstage is spacious, but not as vast as I’ve heard from other Chandos recordings; the piano is right up front, and none of the orchestra gets lost. The low and middle ranges are rich, and the top is present but not too bright." --American Record Guide, March/April 2014

 

"...This disc makes a fascinating traversal of the 20th Century American piano concerto ...an interesting and potentially important memento of Oundjian’s first year with the RSNO. More than that, these are really excellent performances." --MusicWeb-International.com, January 2014

“…The soloist, Xiayin Wang, delivers the goods with a winning combination of taste and dazzling technique…  Peter Oundijan … seems to be an unappreciated conductor. He has an excellent ear for balance and color, but is not an especially flashy musician, which, in the world of high-octane orchestral performance, does not take one to the front of the public stage. This recording reminds me why I admire him; he and his soloist find natural, flowing tempos, excellent clarity of texture, and attractive highlighting of the soloists in this world-class ensemble. Add the usual fine engineering from  Chandos and you have yourselves a winner of a release.” --Fanfare, March/April 2014

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The Virtuoso Clarinet

“Virtuosity is at the heart of this appealing, exhilarating disc...Collins first recorded the Weber, Messager and Lovreglio back in 1992...This time round, he lives up to the standards he set then, both in technical ease and in subtlety of phrasing. Piers Lane makes a stalwart contribution.” --BBC Music Magazine, January 2011 ****

“Brilliant playing in every sense: the musical equivalent of a tray of bonbons crafted by Gordon Ramsay and a must for any clarinet fan.” --Classic FM Magazine, Janurary 2011 *****

“[Collins] give the impression of improvising the spectacular virtuoso writing with a freedom of expression that conveys pure joy...In all this Piers Lane also plays a virtuoso part, and the recording is outstandingly vivid...What makes the disc more consistently enjoyable than many such offerings is the pure joy in virtuosity revealed in every item.” --Gramophone Magazine, December 2010

"...I find much to enjoy in Collin’s playing here. His command of the clarinet is superb, his tine is pure and supple ...He is, moreover, a musician of impeccable taste. Pianist Lane is top-notch as always..." --Fanfare, March/April 2011

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