This disc from Naxos features the three most significant works of Aaron Copland for piano. The way they are programmed on the disc is slightly unusual. They are in reverse chronological order of their composition dates, placing the serial Piano Fantasy first. Not only is this Copland's longest work for piano, but, as the liner notes point out, also the hardest for the performer and listener to comprehend. Usually placing it further into a program of Copland's music gives the uninitiated some frame of reference. Put first, ...
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This disc from Naxos features the three most significant works of Aaron Copland for piano. The way they are programmed on the disc is slightly unusual. They are in reverse chronological order of their composition dates, placing the serial Piano Fantasy first. Not only is this Copland's longest work for piano, but, as the liner notes point out, also the hardest for the performer and listener to comprehend. Usually placing it further into a program of Copland's music gives the uninitiated some frame of reference. Put first, the performance really needs to be immediate, almost visceral, to the listener to keep his or her attention for the full half-hour of its length. Benjamin Pasternack plays it well and sensitively, but the sound of the recording is a little coldly resonant, and it isn't close and vivid enough to grab attention the way it should. The sound is much less of a problem for the Piano Sonata and the Piano Variations, where there are elements more easily recognized as the work of Copland....
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Add this copy of Piano Sonata / Piano Fantasy to cart. $3.21, good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Naxos American Classics.
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