Acts of Homage
Acclaimed pianist Ian Holtham marks the centenary of Brahms’s death and the bicentenary of Schubert’s birth. The programme sets Schubert’s late impromptus beside Brahms’s Handel Variations and late piano pieces, with Godowsky’s song transcriptions as a further homage.
Schubert’s Four Impromptus, Op. 90 (D. 899), from the penultimate year of his life, are remarkable works built almost entirely on single themes. They are full of fantasy and colour, and they show his gift for lyricism, melody and harmonic modulation.
Godowsky’s Six Transcriptions of Songs by Schubert extend that homage. Piano arrangements of well-loved lieder such as Morgengruß, Die Forelle, Das Wandern and Litanei open a virtuosic new view of each song while staying true to the originals.
Brahms’s Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24 (1861) find him at full pianistic strength. Twenty-five variations on a theme from Handel’s first B-flat Clavier Suite become independent character studies—a canon, a Hungarian rhapsody, a siciliana—before a large-scale fugue closes the set.
By contrast the Four Piano Pieces, Op. 119 are intimate late miniatures, among the most beautiful short works in the piano literature, touched by Schumann and by the nineteenth-century taste for the vignette.
Recorded in the warm acoustic of Melba Hall, the disc is a clear and lasting tribute to both composers.
Reviews
Holtham is one of this country's finest pianists... beautifully moulded and expressive performances.
Holtham's interpretations are solidly drawn and refreshingly free of affectation.
Holtham plays it (Schubert's Impromptus Op. 90) on the piano, and makes you feel like you've never heard it before. The naturalness of Holtham's playing gives this Impromptu set a startling vivacity.
Fine performer put together an absorbing program in which the unfamiliar is made accessible and the familiar is made new.
This romantic compilation by Melbourne pianist Ian Holtham is both sensitive and enjoyable.
Artists
Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert (1797–1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. In only thirty-one years he left a vast body of work, including over six hundred Lieder, and remains among the most frequently performed composers.
Ian Holtham
Professor Ian Holtham is one of Australia’s most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues. His performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have drawn packed houses and strong critical acclaim for many years.
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) was a German composer and pianist of the Romantic period. His music for piano, chamber ensemble, orchestra, and voice remains central to the concert repertoire.
Audio preview
Tracks
- No. 1 in C minor – allegro molto moderato 7:35
- No. 2 in E-flat major – allegro 4:04
- No. 3 in G-flat major – andante mosso 5:47
- No. 4 in A-flat major – allegretto 6:11
- Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op.24 Johannes Brahms 24:37
- Morgengruß 2:58
- Die Forelle 2:19
- Das Wandern 2:52
- Wiegenlied 3:05
- Heidenröslein 1:00
- Litanei 5:11
- Intermezzo in B minor: adagio 2:36
- Intermezzo in E minor: andantino un poco agitato 4:03
- Intermezzo in C major: grazioso e giocoso 1:36
- Rhapsodie in E-flat major: allegro risoluto 4:09
Four Impromptus, Op.90 (D.899) Franz Schubert
Six Transcriptions of Songs by Schubert Franz Schubert Arr: Leopold Godowsky
Four Piano Pieces, Op.119 Johannes Brahms
Performers
Composer
Leopold Godowsky
Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Études turn already demanding pieces into labyrinths of counterpoint, left-hand bravura and interlocking textures. His Passacaglia and Schubert song paraphrases share the same dense, glittering pianism.
Where to listen
Acts of Homage is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Acts of Homage is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3187
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 78 minutes 3 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
- Co-Producer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Venue
- Melba Hall
- Thanks to
- John McKinlay
Stephen Duns - Release date
- 1997
- Musical work
copyright - © 1997 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1997 Move Records
- Categories
- Classical, Keyboard
- Genre
- Romantic & Impressionist
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574318722
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