Playing 20th century music is different than playing 19th century music. Or 18th. Not only is the language different, but the concept of what is beautiful or expressive is entirely changed.
Many music lovers have listened to Mozart, Chopin, Mahler, Stravinsky, and repeated hearings of their works have bred a familiarity where phrases and cadences, and even the larger shapes of entire movements, are anticipated. Successful performances leave listeners with a sense of rightness, of satisfaction, of completion.
Most music written within the last half century presents a few more problems for the listener since composers have chosen alternatives to the classically accepted structures of melody, harmony, tonality, phrasing, and rhythm. None of the works on this record is written in a diatonic key, and only the Chavez works have metered rhythm, yet harmonic relationships are implied, there is a rhythmic organization, and the notes do make phrases which can be grouped into larger gestures and shapes.
As a performer, it is my responsibility to discover a language in the composer's array of notes, enabling me to communicate my idea of the composer's intention to the listener. For the listener's part, if he or she is to receive all the rewards of this music, he or she must give it time and serious attention. Then creative listening can occur: suspending preconceived ideas about the expressive modes of music, approaching a new and unfamiliar system of notes without condition or judgement, allowing it to enter one's being. Maybe then it will begin to speak. - Alan Marks
This title from the CRI LP back catalog has been carefully transferred from the original master tape, and is now available from New World Records as an on-demand CD (CD-R). It can also be downloaded in MP3/320, FLAC and/or WAV format(s).
We have preserved the original CRI LP catalog number for this title, preceded by the prefix NWCRL, to distinguish previously unreleased back catalog titles from those later reissued by CRI on compact disc. Please refer to the liner notes for information about the program.
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Alan Marks plays Modern Classics
| MP3/320 | $7.99 | |
| FLAC | $7.99 | |
| WAV | $7.99 | |
| CD-R | $7.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
|
Première Sonate: I. Lent - Mouvement
Pierre Boulez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Première Sonate: II. Assez Large - Rapide
Pierre Boulez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Second Piano Sonata: I. Allegro con fuoco
Roger Sessions
|
Buy
|
|
|
Second Piano Sonata: II. Lento
Roger Sessions
|
Buy
|
|
|
Second Piano Sonata: III. Misurato e pesante
Roger Sessions
|
Buy
|
|
|
Estudio a Rubinstein
Carlos ChÌÁvez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Cinco Caprichos para Piano: I. Animato
Carlos Chávez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Cinco Caprichos para Piano: II. Lentissimo
Carlos Chávez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Cinco Caprichos para Piano: III. Vivo
Carlos Chávez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Cinco Caprichos para Piano: IV. Adagio
Carlos Chávez
|
Buy
|
|
|
Cinco Caprichos para Piano: V. Mosso
Carlos Chávez
|
Buy
|
