Special offer. Barber: Piano Music
Leon McCawley (piano)
The 1977 Ballade is the best beneficiary, given a worried grandiloquence that stretches the work's significance beyond its modest span...But this CD can be cherished for McCawley's Ballade,...
Special offer. Barber: Piano Music
Leon McCawley (piano)
Purchase product
The 1977 Ballade is the best beneficiary, given a worried grandiloquence that stretches the work's significance beyond its modest span...But this CD can be cherished for McCawley's Ballade,...
About
Leon McCawley’s previous release of works by Chopin on SOMM (SOMM0103) was warmly received by both public and press. Here he re-visits the piano repertoire of Barber which he recorded on Virgin in 1997. He feels that he can now offer a more mature insight and deeper understanding of the composer’s intentions. The centrepiece of the recital is the monumental Piano Sonata Op.26, one of the great masterworks of 20th century piano music.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
November 2011
The 1977 Ballade is the best beneficiary, given a worried grandiloquence that stretches the work's significance beyond its modest span...But this CD can be cherished for McCawley's Ballade, and for gathering Barber's piano output into one place.
November 2011
McCawley takes the first movement slower than some pianists but he makes its points intelligently rather than resorting to a kind of non-stop pyrotechnical display. The Scherzo sparkles; the Adagio is impeccably paced through its anguished climax; and McCawley makes light of the difficulties of the final fugure as its catchy subject is put through its manic paces...McCawley delivers everything magnificently...This is now the CD to get of Barber's music.
7th August 2011
McCawley’s powerful account reminds one agreeably of the argument’s sinew and scope, the structure with its driven first movement, incisive scherzo, melancholy adagio and dazzling fugal finale oddly evoking Walton’s first symphony.
