Badinage: The Piano Music of Mana-Zucca
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Kudos to pianist Nanette Kaplan Solomon for the first recording devoted to the remarkable Mana-Zucca.

Pianist Nanette Kaplan Solomon, Professor Emerita of Music at Slippery Rock University has long been involved with the work of women composers. With this recording, she performs the music of the legendary Mana-Zucca in the first recording devoted to her music. Born in 1885, Gussie Zuccamanov (Zuckermann) had nearly a century long career as a child prodigy pianist, musical comedy star, prolific composer, and patron of the arts. She reinvented herself via her multiple talents as the winds of change and tides of time dictated. Even her name is an invention -- switching the syllables of her last name to create the artful, but gender mysterious Mana-Zucca. The piano pieces on this disc, written at various periods in the composer's life (from youth to age 90), represent excellent craftsmanship in the handling of small and large forms, and contain lush, chromatic harmonies. Because of her prolific output, vivacious personality, ingratiating melodies, and her impact on her life and times, Mana-Zucca was often called the "Chaminade of America." Like Chaminade and other women musicians, however, her importance to the musical world during her lifetime has been somewhat eclipsed. Recordings such as this one offer the opportunity to reassess her remarkable achievements.
Contents:
Mana-Zucca, composer
Prelude, Op. 73
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Valse Brillante, Op. 20
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Fugato-Humoresque on the theme of Dixie, Op. 21
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Wistaria, Op. 38, No. 1
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
The Zouaves' Drill, Op. 68
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Southland Zephyrs, Op. 72, No. 1
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Bolero de Concert, Op. 72, No. 2
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Sonata No. 1, Op. 27
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Poème, Op. 37
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Resignation, Op. 183, No. 9
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Memories, Op. 186, No. 28
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Nostalgia, Op. 187, No. 30
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Scherzando, Op. 266
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
La Poverina, Op. 272
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Polka Comique, Op. 275
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Badinage, Op. 288
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Mana-Zucca, composer
Sonata No. 2, Op. 280
Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano

Review:
“[Nanette] Kaplan-Solomon plays with great aplomb and also with great textural aware-ness. In fact, cleanliness is one of her key characteristics. …The strength of Solomon’s playing is that she knows when not to over-emote.” (Colin Clarke - Fanfare)

“There’s not a piece on this disc that won’t have your feet tapping, your head nodding, and your face smiling. It’s a delight from start to finish, and Solomon plays this music with happy fingers and a joyful heart that, even now, are making Mana-Zucca beam.” (Jerry Dubins–Fanfare)

“Solomon plays with the kind of acuity that suggests long acquaintance with, rather than quick study of, the scores–and her commitment to Mana-Zucca is infectious. …Warmly welcomed.” (Peter J. Rabinowitz – Fanfare)

“…Mana-Zucca had both the skills and the cleverness to captivate us. …This [recording] would make a fine acquisition and is a worthy musical discovery.” (American Record Guide)