Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968
Front cover art for Matthew Kam introduces the new Schimmel K 230

Matthew Kam introduces the new Schimmel K 230

A wide-ranging solo programme opens with Brahms’s demanding Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel. Matthew Kam and the Schimmel K 230 meet its musical and technical challenges with striking tonal beauty and colour.

  • CatalogueMCD 346

Listen & tracks

5 works

  1. Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, Op. 24Johannes Brahms 3 movements
    1. 1 Aria, Variations I–VIII
    2. 2 Variations IX–XVIII
    3. 3 Variations XIX–XXV, Fugue
  2. 4 Nocturne no. 4 in E-flat major, Op. 36 Gabriel Fauré
  3. 5 Barcarolle no. 3 in G-flat major, Op. 42 Gabriel Fauré
  4. 6 Impromptu no. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 34 Gabriel Fauré
  5. Sonata no. 2 ‘Fire Sermon’, Op. 64Einojuhani Rautavaara 3 movements
    1. 7 i. Molto allegro
    2. 8 ii. Andante assai
    3. 9 iii. Allegro brutale

The beauty of tone is clear from the outset, and as the Brahms unfolds a wide range of colour becomes evident.

Kam then turns to three Fauré pieces, played with French lightness and sparkle, before closing with the rhythmic, more percussive Sonata no. 2 Fire Sermon by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. The disc shows strong pianistic and musical command, and the instrument gives him full scope.

Born in 1981 in Sarawak, Malaysia, Matthew moved with his family to Australia in 1992. In 1996 Max Cooke, who had trained in Paris with Alfred Cortot, recognised his potential and took him as a protégé. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2005, appearing as soloist with the Melbourne University Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto. In 2008 he was due to perform Rautavaara’s First Piano Concerto with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra. In 2004 he won the Australian National Piano Award, and the Special Prize for Best Performance of Music Written after 1950 for this Rautavaara sonata.

He was top prize-winner at the 2000 Malaysian National Piano Festival, and has broadcast for ABC Classic FM, MBS FM and BBC Radio 3.

Artists

Photograph of Matthew Kam

Matthew Kam

piano

Born in 1981 in Sarawak, Malaysia, Matthew moved with his family to Australia in 1992 and in 1996, Max Cooke, who formerly trained in Paris with Alfred Cortot, recognized Matthew's potential and decided to accept him as one of his protégés.

Photograph of Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms

composer

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.

Photograph of Gabriel Fauré

Gabriel Fauré

composer

Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924) was a French composer, pianist, organist and teacher whose music links late Romanticism with early modernism. His best-known works include the Requiem, the Pavane, and a large body of songs and piano music.

No photograph: Einojuhani Rautavaara

Einojuhani Rautavaara

composer

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928–2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music, among the most widely heard Finnish voices after Sibelius. His large output moves from early serial writing to neo-romantic and mystical scores across symphonies, concertos, operas, and chamber music.

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Compact disc

Performers

Details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Categories
Classical, Keyboard
Musical work copyright
© Move Records
Sound recording copyright
℗ Move Records
Catalogue
MCD 346
EAN
9314574034622

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