American Piano Music: 1900-1930
Richard Zimdars (piano)
The highlight of this exceptional program of American piano music is the first complete recording of Dane Rudhyar's Third Pentagram. Its fourth movement, "Stars," is a great American nocturne. Rudhyar lived a fascinating life studying philosophy, Buddhism, alchemy and Asian music. He painted (the cover image of the booklet is one of his works), wrote poetry, science fiction and books on astrology. The disc showcases landmark works by four composers who had contact with each other during the 1920s. Richard Zimdars, a professor of music at the University of Georgia, has performed the works on this compact disc to critical acclaim: "He conjured the mythology of clusters with two "Irish Legends" of Cowell... in Copland's Variations of 1930 he compressed a chiseling technique up to heroic force." --Rhein-Neckar Zeitung, Heidelberg "The most valuable contribution came after intermission with the First Piano Sonata of Ives. Confident performances of this big and difficult work are not common, and Mr. Zimdars gave one." --New York Times
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Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Sonata No. 1 for Piano | Charles Ives | Richard Zimdars, piano |
| Three Irish Legends | Henry Cowell | Richard Zimdars, piano |
| Third PentagramÑRelease | Dane Rudhyar | Richard Zimdars, piano |
| Piano Variations | Aaron Copland | Richard Zimdars, piano |
Reviews
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"...an exemplary exploration of the piano music of some of America's greatest composers in their greatest and most experimental period."
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"What Zimdars brings to the table in addition to sheer finger fortitude is a fine sense of scholarship regarding the pieces themselves ...as a survey of early American modernist piano music this is very good, and Zimdars' performances are accomplished and speak well for his long contact with, and expansive study of, this music."
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"The high point of this release is the first full recording of Rudhyar's Third Pentagram: Release, a somber and fascinating work that, as the composer says, treats the piano as a 'miniature orchestra'. Richard Zimdars' playing is hard, deliberate, a bit dark in sonority...It works for the music..."
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"[Richard Zimdars] displays breathtaking chops, producing cascades of sounds with fistfuls of notes."
*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.