Arnold Bax: Piano Music

1. Piano Sonata in E-flat (First Version of Symphony No.1 in Eb
Composed by Arnold (Sir) Bax
with John McCabe

2. Legend, for orchestra
Composed by Arnold (Sir) Bax
with John McCabe

3. Piano Sonata No.2 in G major
Composed by Arnold (Sir) Bax
with John McCabe

Arnold Bax: Piano Music,Arnold Bax,John McCabe,Continuum,20th/21st Century Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard,20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem,Classical,Classical Music,Keyboard,Orchestral

Average customer rating:

Bax: Clarinet Sonatas; Piano Trio; Trio in One Movement Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bax: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1 & 3 Bax: Viola Sonata; Legend; Trio in One Movement; Concert Piece Arthur Bliss: Clarinet Quintet; String Quartet No. 2 Arnold Bax: Tone Poems Bax: Quintet for Harp & Strings / Sonata Flute & Harp ASIN: B000F6YWSU Release Date: 2006-05-16

Tracks:

1. Allegro Con Brio
2. Adagio (Alla Breve) Con Moto
3. Tempo Moderato E Molto Ritmico
4. Molto Moderato
5. Vivace
6. Moderato Tempo
7. Allegro Moderato
8. Andante Con Moto-Allegretto
9. Allegro Vivace-Andante Con Moto-Molto Largamente-Temop Di Valse-Piu Lento-Un Pochissimo Piu Mosso E Grazioso-Prestissimo

Average customer rating: BAX AND WASS The seduction of the keyboard

Bax: Piano Sonatas Nos. 3 & 4; Water Music; Winter Waters Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bax: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2; Dream in Exile; Nereid Bax: Symphony No. 6; Into the Twilight; Summer Music Bax: Quintet for Harp & Strings / Sonata Flute & Harp Bax: The Princess's Rose Garden: Aean; A Hill Tune; Lullaby Bax: Symphony No. 1; In the Faery Hills; The Garden of Fand ASIN: B0008JEKDQ Release Date: 2005-05-17

Tracks:

1. Allegro Moderato
2. Lento Moderato
3. Allegro
4. Allegro Giusto
5. Allegro Quasi Andante/Very Delicate Throughout
6. Allegro
7. Water Music
8. Winter Waters
9. Country-Tune
10. O Dame Get Up And Bake Your Pies

Customer Reviews:

BAX AND WASS.......2005-08-09

It may have a bit to do with the recording, but I was struck very forcefully by how much better the fourth sonata here comes across than the third does. The texture of the piano writing in the fourth is much cleaner and clearer, and it shows the player's abilities in a much more favourable light. Ashley Wass is obviously a major new talent. He has a strong grasp of the idiom of this music and he knows how to hold it together; he can build a climax imposingly and he has a powerful and unforced forte, and it goes more or less without saying that his technical accomplishment is comprehensive. He also does not need me or anyone else to tell him that these days this kind of combination of talent, insight and professionalism seems to be the birthright of multitudes.

In time I expect that a more individual and distinctive personality will become apparent in his playing. Indeed I think I'm beginning to detect it already in his accounts of the fourth sonata and of the powerful Winter Waters, and it makes me keen to hear more from him. For now, I wonder whether he has quite realised just how difficult a piece like the third sonata is to bring off with complete success. The piano writing is often bottom-heavy and there is a great deal of chordal, arpeggio and trill/tremolando work in it. Even the slightest hint of unevenness in the touch is made unmercifully apparent, and what is needed is really superhuman control of the finger-pressure, the kind of command that we get from Michelangeli or Gould or Pollini. It also puts a high premium on ultra-skilful use of the pedal, and it could be that this young player would benefit from studying the work of Cziffra, an out-and-out master of that particular technique. That said, Wass seems to me to have the measure of the piece basically, and he is heard to greater advantage in the rest of the recital. The fourth sonata is a less portentous effort than the third and Wass gives it a suitably high-profile reading. The Water Music, Country Tune and `O Dame' variations are lighter stuff and again I was impressed by the idiomatic sense of the performances. In the Winter Waters Bax seems to me to rise to something approaching greatness, and although the piano style is in some ways similar to that in the third sonata I felt that this time Wass set his own stamp on the reading more successfully.

Bax's piano music has more to say to me than his enjoyable but slightly ersatz symphonic poems do. As musical statements the heavier pieces seem more personal to me, with less playing to a Tennyson-loving gallery. The liner-note finds echoes of Debussy and Scriabin in the earlier works (more Scriabin than Debussy I should say), and is wisely unwilling to commit itself regarding influences on the sharply different idiom of the fourth sonata. The Water Music is nothing like Handel's but started life as a ballet score, and is more popular and melodious in expression. The `O Dame' variations are a kind of English music that I always find slightly tedious, but the Country Tune is pleasant enough if not especially memorable.

We are used to some spectacular recorded quality nowadays, and the recording here is not exactly that, but it's very good in general. Whether it is quite right for the third sonata is questionable, but in that instance I suspect that Wass will refine his playing to some extent in later performances to make it recording-proof. The liner-note is really quite good, with some perceptive comments on the music as well as information on the composer. As on other occasions, I want to express appreciation to Naxos for their initiative and imagination in making such music available at moderate cost, and I welcome this new young star on the pianistic block with particular interest.

The seduction of the keyboard.......2005-08-06

Like many composers of his time Bax was seduced by the resources of the modern grand piano - by the wealth of textures it can generate and the ease with which new harmonies are revealed by improvisation. It is not at all surprising that his first symphony started life as a piano sonata, since all his orchestral music was piano-inspired; it was imitating the piano that produced the inventiveness and originality of his orchestration. Too much of his music was generated by what sounded good on the piano rather than by a discriminating choice of means to achieve well defined ends. One of the main causes of the difference between his style and that of Vaughan Williams or Holst was that he was a pianist and they were not. Not surprisingly, then, his piano music is particularly revealing of his musical personality. The present CD is the second in a promised complete edition. It includes two of the composer's most haunting tragic utterances - Winter Waters and the Third Sonata -, and in the Fourth Sonata one of the most assured examples of his leaner, cleaner late style. Ashley Wass responds with rare sensitivity to Bax's wayward magic. The recording, notable for resonance rather than clarity, suits this music well.

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Elgar: Violin Sonata / Bax: Violin Sonata No. 2 Manufacturer: Gmn.Com ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005AWI0 Release Date: 2001-03-27

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Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 4 Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 5 Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 6 Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 7 ASIN: B0000C83YW Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. I In The Forest Before Dawn
2. II Daybreak And Sunrise
3. III Full Day
4. IV Woodland Love (Romance)
5. V Maenads
6. Northern Ballad No. 2
7. Northern Ballad No. 3 (Prelude For A Solemn Occasion)
8. Mediterranean
9. Symphonic Scherzo

Average customer rating:

William Primrose Collection, Vol.1 Manufacturer: Doremi Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Viola | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Primrose, William | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: William Primrose Collection Vol.2 William Primrose Collection Vol. 4 William Primrose Collection, Vol. 3 Handel: Concerto in B/Walton: Viola Concerto/Williams: Flos Campi/Bach: Komm/Schubert: Litanei/Dvorak: Humoresque/Nev The Early Recordings, Violin and Viola ASIN: B00000DG46 Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

1. Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: I. Harold In The Mountains
2. Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: II. March Of The Pilgrims
3. Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: III. Serenade
4. Berlioz: Harold In Italy, Op. 16: IV. Orgy Of The Brigands
5. Bax: Son: I. Allegro Moderato - William Primrose/Harriet Cohen
6. Bax: Son: II. Allegro Energico Ma Non Troppo Presto - William Primrose/Harriet Cohen W
7. Bax: Son: III. Molto Lento - William Primrose/Harriet Cohen

Average customer rating:

Bax: Piano Duos Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000000AH3 Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

1. I - Molto Moderato (quasi andante) - Allegretto scherzando (ma no troppo presto)
2. II. Lento Espressivo
3. III. Vivace E Feroce (ma no troppo presto)
4. Red Autumn
5. Hardanger
6. The Poisoned Fountain
7. The Devil That Tempted St Anthony
8. Moy Mell

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Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano - Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano / Francis Dunhill: Phantasy Suite Op. 91 / Arnold Bax: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano / Elmer Bernstein: Sonata for Clarinet and piano / Robert Schumann: Drei Romanzen Op. 94 Manufacturer: Klavier ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000JLET Release Date: 1999-07-27

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Lullaby Classics Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Delius, Frederick | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Godard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Pachelbel | Pachelbel, Johann | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Satie | Satie, Erik | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tarrega | Tarrega, Francisco | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Walton | Walton, Sir William | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Detroit Symphony Orchestra | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002H2R4S Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

1. Clair De Lune - Ulster Orchestra
2. Andante - London Mozart Players
3. Aquarium - David Owen Norris
4. Lullaby - Eric Parkin
5. Gymnopedie No.1 - John Anderson
6. From Foreign Lands And People - Howard Shelley
7. Julia Florida - Craig Ogden
8. Le Dernier Sommeil De La Vierge - BBC Philharmonic
9. Idylle - Susan Milan
10. Air - Adrian Shepherd
11. Preghiera - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
12. The Holy Boy - English Chamber Orchestra
13. Culy Locks - BBC Philharmonic
14. Lullaby - London Symphony Orchestra
15. Berceuse - BBC Philharmonic
16. Allegretto Grazioso - Luba Edlina
17. Recuerdos De La Alhambra - Craig Ogden
18. Pied-En-L'Air - Bournemouth Sinfonietta

Tracks:

1. Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy - Scottish National Orchestra
2. Canticle - Craig Ogden
3. Noel - Craig Ogden
4. The Swan - I Musici De Montreal
5. Eventide - Bournemouth Sinfonietta
6. Pastoral - City Of London Sinfonia
7. Lento - Janet Hilton
8. Canon In D Major - Adrian Shepherd
9. Sheep May Safely Graze - BBC Philharmonic
10. Largo - Ronald Thomas
11. No.3 - John Lill
12. Slumber Song - Peter Wallfisch
13. Serenade - Bournemouth Sinfonietta
14. Summertime - John Anderson
15. The Mother's Son - Craig Ogden
16. Allegro - London Philharmonic
17. Mother - I Musici De Montreal
18. Melodie-Elegie - Peter Dixon
19. Child Falling Asleep - Howard Shelley
20. Air - City Of London Sinfonia
21. Fantasia On Greensleeves - BBC Philharmonic
22. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin - Miceal O'Rourke

Average customer rating: Historic Performances to Hear with Your Heart Great performer, poor recording

William Primrose Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bloch | Bloch, Ernest | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Paganini, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Viola | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Primrose, William | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: William Primrose Collection, Vol. 3 William Primrose Collection Vol. 4 William Primrose Collection Vol.2 The Early Recordings, Violin and Viola William Primrose Collection, Vol.1 ASIN: B000000WVK Release Date: 1993-01-19

Tracks:

1. Sonata For Viola And Piano: 1st Movt. : Molto moderato - Allegro
2. Sonata For Viola And Piano: 2nd Mvnt. : Allegro energico, ma non troppo presto
3. Sonata For Viola And Piano: 3rd Mvnt. : Molto lento
4. Suite For Viola And Piano: 1st Movt. : Lento - Allegro - Moderato
5. Suite For Viola And Piano: 2nd Movt. : Allegro ironico (Scherzo)
6. Suite For Viola And Piano: 3rd Mvnt. : Lento
7. Suite For Viola And Piano: 4th Mvnt. : Molto vivo
8. Two Caprices (Caprices No. 13, 5)
9. Caprice No. 17
10. 'La Campanella'
11. Leibesfreud

Amazon.com

No viola jokes here! William Primrose was one of the instrument's greatest players, and the way he tosses off Paganini's Caprices will amaze any lover of string virtuosity. Bax and Bloch take up most of the album, which is an extremely heavy dose of 1920s mysticism at once. It's especially a chore since the transfers of these 78 sets are burdened with irritating surface noise, which is oddly absent from the Paganini. The repertoire and spotty transfers make the disc difficult to recommend, but there is some amazing viola playing here. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Historic Performances to Hear with Your Heart.......2007-04-29

One must listen past the superficial surface noise in order to enjoy these recordings. There is no hiding Primrose's great deep-throated sound, which is like chocolate syrup. The underlying heart and soul of the playing is what's important here. Detractors would probably complain of road noise in a 1936 Duesenberg and miss the point there, as well.

Great performer, poor recording.......2002-08-21

It's obvious that Primrose is an awesome, *awesome* violist from this CD. Unfortunately, the poor recording taints the listener's experience with gritty, grainy background noise. It could be a result of the age of the recordings this CD's tracks were taken off of, but even so I felt myself taken away from really enjoying the music. If you have an honest desire to hear Primrose perform, then this CD is for you; otherwise, don't waste your money.

Average customer rating: Bax to the Max - Engaging Sonatas and other Gems Meandering but dramatic

Bax: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2; Dream in Exile; Nereid Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bax: Piano Sonatas Nos. 3 & 4; Water Music; Winter Waters Bax: Quintet for Harp & Strings / Sonata Flute & Harp Bax: The Princess's Rose Garden: Aean; A Hill Tune; Lullaby Rawsthorne: Symphonies Nos. 1-3 Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin (Complete Ballet); Dance Suite; Hungarian Pictures ASIN: B0002TNGYQ Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Sharp Minor (1910)
2. Piano Sonata No. 2 (1919)
3. Dream In Exile: Intermezzo (1916)
4. Burlesque (1920)
5. Nereid (1919)
6. In A Vodka Shop (1915)

Album Description

Although best known for his symphonic poems such as Tintagel, Bax also wrote prolifically for the piano. His early life was dominated by the keyboard and in his twenties he appeared in concerts playing his own music and that of famous European contemporaries. On this first volume of the complete piano works, two epic sonatas are combined with impressionistic miniatures. The First Sonata, a turbulent Lisztian single movement abounding in colouristic effects, particularly at the bottom of the keyboard, was inspired by the new piano music of the Russians, particularly that of Scriabin. The foreboding Second Sonata was described by the composer himself as `concerned with the warring forces of light and darkness', perhaps an autobiographical response to the recently ended war or the Easter Rising or both.

Customer Reviews:

Bax to the Max - Engaging Sonatas and other Gems.......2007-04-15

Arnold Bax has his share of enthusiasts, mostly those who appreciate his symphonic poems and other large-scale orchestral works. Although I've heard a few of these orchestral works on the radio, this particular recording is the only CD I own of Bax's music. I bought this CD because I was enticed by the Naxos description of these Sonatas: "turbulent Lisztian" and "warring forces of light and darkness." Whatever Bax's reputation with orchestral music is, after judging these two sonatas, I think his piano compositions are highly-crafted, aesthetically pleasing, and full of dark but beautiful intensity.

I disagree with the reviewer below me that these sonatas are "boring" or tend to "meander." I wonder if we're hearing the same music. Both Sonatas, particularly the massive Second, are structural organisms, replete with motifs and identifiable themes. I certainly didn't get the impression that the First Sonata was "meandering." Of somewhat Lisztian-Scriabinesque descent, the 22 minute work explores highly Romantic but contrasting themes. Ashley Wass's extraordinary dynamics are apparent; he expresses the forte passages with triumphant passion and plays the soft moments with poise. Bax himself demonstrates an interesting conglomeration of pianistic styles in this First Sonata. One hears Lisztian tremolos, Scriabin-like dissonances and in the marvelous chiming Bells of the coda, a tinge of Rachmaninov. Overall, this is a well-balanced and emotionally engaging 20th century piano sonata.

The Second Sonata, a mammoth of a single-movement composition reaching 28 minutes, is a unique work with an entirely different scope in mind. Not since Beethoven's 5th Symphony have I experienced such a convincing battle of themes, of darkness and light. The incredibly dark opening and its subsequent late-Liszt theme is a significant "motto" or motif of darkness. This ominous music is pleasantly melodic and the contrasting fanfare of the "light" theme is wonderfully majestic. For 28 minutes the themes riposte and parry each other. Darkness always seems victorious in its return, but the power of light is never doubted. By the end of the extended coda, it's difficult to say which theme has won. Musically, in the final cadence, it "sounds" like the light won, but somehow the grim darkness theme still lingers in the background. This is just original and excellent piano writing. Bax employs convincing pianistic devices: shadowy tremolos, dissonant arpeggios, sonorous experiments in the lower registers, and rich chordal textures.

The last four pieces are not as masterful as the two Piano Sonatas, but are full of charm, excitement and some gorgeous melodic ideas. "Dream in Exile," for example, possesses terribly haunting music in the Romantic style. Although not akin to a Chopin Nocturne, it certainly matches the seductive beauties of those Chopin miniatures. The next piece, "Burlesque," is obviously lighter material and somewhat jovial, displaying an oriental characteristic. But after the brooding gloom of the previous works, this little piece makes for good diversity. The "Nereid" piece is, according to Bax, "nothing but tone color - changing effects of tone." Yet it's still tempting to imagine a dreamy vision of swimming water nymphs while listening to the murky harmonies. From the start, the last piece, "In a Vodka Shop," sounds exactly like "Burlesque" with its Russian rhythms and loud declarations. It's not that memorable but still prevails as an enjoyable trifle.

Bottom line: Bax's two large Piano Sonatas are astounding works of the late-Romantic early-Twentienth-Century mold. With flavors of Russian piano-writing, mystic-Scriabin and Lisztian virtuosic ornamentation, the music is superficially pleasant. Yet delving deeper into this music, and upon repeated hearings, one can pick up on tremendously effective coloring, sonorities, and structural suggestions. This CD is Naxos Gramophone Editor's Choice for a reason: it contains dramatic, compelling, and substantial music. Highly Recommended!

Meandering but dramatic.......2007-03-01

I found Wass' playing formidable, but the pieces themselves do little to hold my attention. They are wandering pieces with no clear cut themes or movements to organize the pieces.

Wass has a formidable techqnique, and I'm sure he plays his compatriot's pieces with passion, but they are simply too boring. Sonata no. 1 has its moments, while the Sonata no. 2 is somewhat dry. The other smaller pieces are fun, light pieces.

Track Listings:

1. Auctrig-Danube Dreams
2. Bach: Organ Music Volume II
3. Bach: Organ Recital
4. Back to Paradise
5. Balfour Gardiner: Piano Music
6. Bartok: String Quartets 1, 3, & 4
7. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"/Grosse Fuge, Op. 133
8. Bernstein Royal Edition: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4/ Francesca da Rimini
9. Boccherini: String Quartets, Op. 58, Nos. 1-6
10. Brahms/Hans Gal: Clarinet Sonatas

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Underdose/Firefly Ep [Enhanced] [Import]

Cello Suites, Vol.2

Beginning to See the Light

The Complete Blue Note Sixties Sessions [Box set]

Biba: Champagne & Novocaine [Import]

Definitive Collection

Bigger Than Yourself

Canon

Christmas Shopping

By Way of the World

Big Wheel [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Broadcasts from the Twilight Zone

Club Inferno, Vol. 2

Classical Lullabies (Perfect Pacifier)

Complete Studio Recordings