Two hundred thirty strings, eighty-eight keys and three pedals… the piano is a fascinating instrument. This is also reflected in its considerable repertoire. From newly composed music to transcriptions, for centuries composers and arrangers have been writing for this iconic instrument.
American pianist Lara Downes brings a selection of song transcriptions with her new album Love at Last. She brings together composers from all over the world and from different centuries. She opens with Svítá by Czech composer Jaroslav Ježek (1906-1942). The simple melody of this song is catchy and the arrangement by Jeremy Siskind is colorful. Besides well-known classical composers such as J.S. Bach and Franz Schubert, delicate gems can be heard. For example, It Only Ever Rains in November [track 10] by young Kenyan composer Nyokabi Kariũki (°1998) is one of the surprising highlights of this album.
Chinese classical music is increasingly finding its way onto the European music scene. Think of the numerous albums by Xiaogang Ye (°1955) and Tan Dun (°1957). And the piano is also establishing itself as an enchanting medium. This is proven by pianist and composer Edward Han Jiang with his album Piano Miniatures from China. This anthology brings together compositions by some prominent contemporary composers paired with transcriptions of traditional tunes. In particular, Spring Dance (1978) [track 02] by Sun Yiqiang (°1945) and Eight Memories in Watercolor (1979) [track 12-19] by Tan Dun captivate with their rich harmonies and timbres from beginning to end.
With his album Belle de Nuit, Parra For Cuva pays homage to the piano. His music is situated in the gray zone between classical and pop. With minimal musical material and repetitive patterns, he manages to sweep the listener along in the stream of notes. To achieve this, he integrates trance elements from house and other electronic genres into his piano compositions. In doing so, Parra For Cuva joins the musical movement of Ludovico Einaudi and Ólafur Arnalds. Perhaps Parra For Cuva is the next crossover sensation to remember…
WHO: Lara Downes [piano]
WHAT: Love at Last
LABEL: Pentatone PTC5187018
WHO: Edward Han Jiang [piano]
WHAT: Piano Miniatures from China
LABEL: Grand Piano GP929
WHO: Parra For Cuva [piano]
WHAT: Belle de Nuit
LABEL: Le Tigre Noir