A re-release, but one that deserves far more than mere routine attention because it's a remastered edition of both a phenomenal piano recital and its equally phenomenal recording. Though to appreciate it, we must first go back in time—to 1993, to be precise—when the original CD was released by the now-defunct Dutch classical music label Emergo Classics.

For those who've forgotten or never knew: Emergo, founded by Bas Touw, was thriving in the eighties and nineties during the still-growing 'classical' market boom. It was booming, thanks in no small part to the compact disc, which was introduced to our country in 1983. Emergo capitalized on this trend, showing a clear preference for lesser-known repertoire and for musicians who, though leading-edge in the most literal sense, weren't yet household names among a broader audience. No artistic compromises were made—top quality was paramount.

At that time, it was nothing short of a masterstroke to bring Leo de Klerk into the label's fold. He was a true craftsman, both as a producer and recording engineer. He was the master who ensured the stunning sound quality, but what many didn't know was that he also had a particularly keen ear for both musical talent and niche repertoire. The fact that in his spare time he also composed inventively and managed to get his talented creations heard is nothing short of remarkable.

I knew Leo quite well and visited him regularly at his home in 's-Gravendeel, where he had his recording studio and main workplace. After his death on September 9, 2020, I wroteherea tribute to this remarkable figure, who had just turned 62 and had battled a relentless lung disease for years.

Like so many labels, Emergo too ultimately lost the battle in a fiercely competitive market where niche releases were increasingly crowded out by major international labels. It wasn't until later, well into the new millennium, that interest in niche repertoire resurged, but Emergo didn't live to see it. Fortunately, older releases can still be found, both on the secondhand market and on streaming platforms. So the story hasn't entirely ended.

This story continues unabated with this re-release. Daan van Aalst, himself an outstanding recording engineer and editor and the driving force behind the Dutch label Navis Classics, knew Leo de Klerk well too, is aware of his great talents, and made the decision to undertake this re-release for two reasons: the recording quality and pianist Naum Grubert (born 1951 in Riga), who has lived in our country for years and, besides being a highly respected musician, teaches piano as a main subject at the Amsterdam Conservatory. You can read more about him on the Conservatory's website (click here) . Over the years, Navis has released numerous recordings by this pianist and decided to acquire the rights to this remastered re-release and thus bring it to the attention of a (hopefully!) wider audience.

The commentary that accompanied the original release has been specially replaced for this occasion with an in-depth text by Grubert himself (regrettably in English only). The design and packaging of this production were handled by Navis' in-house designer Ad van der Kouwe.

I have previously characterized Naum Grubert's playing as that of an interpreter with a distinctive signature who overwhelms his listeners through intense musical characterization and refined tonal shadings—deeply rooted expression, analytical clarity, and pianistic refinement without any virtuosic display. An interpreter who manages to evoke the sense of creative creation in the moment, so skillfully stylized that it comes across as a fresh discovery, yet inwardly fully realized down to the smallest detail (which becomes perfectly clear when you follow the score). On one hand, there is the lyricism as pure musical poetry with the help of the most subtle contour shifts, on the other hand the equally fine-meshed dynamic proportionality. It all forms part of the rare nobility that characterizes this playing. Within the given architecture there is anticipation, development, expansion, and resolution. Not a trace of calculation—the music as it were being rediscovered, the performance being presented anew.

Magnificent…in every conceivable way…And at the same time a heartfelt tribute to Leo de Klerk…