Albany Records: The Composer as Performer

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Another sparkling recital by composer-pianist Walker.

The great American composer George Walker, who won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1996 with his composition, Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra began his musical career as a pianist. He was born in Washington, DC in 1922. He began to take piano lessons when he was five years old. He graduated from Oberlin at 18 and went on to Curtis where he studied piano with Rudolf Serkin and composition with Rosario Scalero. In 1945 he made his acclaimed New York debut in Town Hall in a concert that was sponsored by Mr. And Mrs. Efrem Zimbalist. Two weeks later, he appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra as soloist in the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 under Eugene Ormandy. Subsequently he appeared with many major Orchestras performing the core of the romantic repertoire. In 1950, he became the first black instrumentalist to obtain major concert management. In 1953, he became the first black artist to make a major concert tour of Europe, where he played to resounding acclaim in seven countries. Here we have the composer as performer in works that have long had special meaning for him. This is a unique, warm, lovely disc. Please note that it is HDCD encoded for your customers who are looking for the latest in digital technology.

Frederic Chopin, composer
Etude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 10, No. 4
George Walker, piano

Frederic Chopin, composer
Etude in G Flat Major, Op. 10, No. 5
George Walker, piano

Frederic Chopin, composer
Etude in E Flat Minor, Op. 10, No. 6
George Walker, piano

Frederic Chopin, composer
Etude in B Minor, Op. 25, No. 10
George Walker, piano

Frederic Chopin, composer
Nocturne in F Sharp Major, Op. 15, No. 2
George Walker, piano

Francis Poulenc, composer
Toccata
George Walker, piano

Robert Schumann, composer
Kreisleriana, Op. 16
George Walker, piano

J.S. Bach, composer
Prelude and Fugue in D Major, WTC No. 5
George Walker, piano

Review:

"Especially since winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1996, George Walker has been celebrated as a composer and pedagogue.But as I pointed out when welcoming the first volume of this series, he first made his mark as a virtuoso pianist, and this recital centers on works that were featured at his first public performances more than half a century ago.The sound is only fair, and Walker's notes could give more detail about the way he conceptualizes the music. Even so, this should be warmly received by the composer's admirers." (Fanfare)

Another sparkling recital by composer-pianist Walker.

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Review: