Nepomuceno: Piano Works

1. Suíte antiga, Op.11
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

2. Nocturne No.1 in C major for the Left Hand
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

3. Improviso, Op.27, No.2
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

4. Sonata in F minor, Op.9
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

5. Nocturne No.2 in G major for the Left Hand
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

6. Nocturne, Op.33
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

7. Galhofeira, Op.13, No.4
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

8. Cinco pequenas pecas for the left hand
Composed by Alberto Nepomuceno
with Maria Ines Guimaraes

Customer Reviews:

Amazing music many classical pianists don't know about.......2005-07-21

In 2005, if you haven't heard of composers like Nobre, Guarnieri, Nepomuceno, or Levy, you are missing out on some of the greatest 20th century piano music ever composed. Much of the music on this album, not commonly known to those of us who know our Schumann, Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and so forth, is comparable in quality to that of Schumann. What if there were suddenly discovered twenty or thirty pieces of the highest quality of piano music that Schumann had composed but no one had known about? This album is like that for me. The styles of these Latin American composers run the gamut from late Romantic or what is sometimes called "Impressionist" to challenging Bartok-like Ginastera-esque gems, with a few charming salon pieces to give variety to the mix.

Clelia Iruzun is a ferocious, amazing pianist, with fire like Argerich and tonal subtlety like Horowitz.

If you like classical piano music and great piano playing, you must hear this album. I don't know why there aren't more reviews of it, or why there are no sample clips posted (I am writing this in July 2005, so maybe they'll see the light and post some in the future).

Average customer rating:

Recommendable repertoire
I recommend to buy it.

Nepomuceno: Piano Works

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Suite antiga, Op. 11: Prelude
Suite antiga, Op. 11: Menuet
Suite antiga, Op. 11: Air
Suite antiga, Op. 11: Rigaudon
Nocturne No. 1 in C Major (for the left hand)
Improviso, Op. 27, No. 2
Sonata in F Minor, Op. 9: Allegro con fuoco
Sonata in F Minor, Op. 9: Andante espressivo
Sonata in F Minor, Op. 9: Allegro con spirito
Nocturne No. 2
Nocturne, Op. 33
Galhofeira, Op. 13, No. 4
Barcarola
Melodia
Danca
Brincando
Polca

Customer Reviews:

Recommendable repertoire.......2005-11-21

It's time to recognize the beauty of Nepomuceno's music for piano. His style reminds Brahms, with even great power. Take for example the exquisite Sonata Op. 9, in three highly appealing movements, or the beautiful Suite Antiga Op. 11, which easily conquers one's attention. Unfortunately, the performances here are weak. It's a pitty that this music has always been neglected by great pianists, as Tagliaferro, Guiomar Novaes, Izabel Mourão, Cristina Ortiz, Max Barros or Flavio Varani.

I guess the best performance is that of Impromptu Op. 27 no. 2. Miguez Proença's recording on Leblon has more energy, but Guimarães' thoughtful approach is more colorful and accurate in touch. She plays better the great Sonata also. Proença's faster and irregular tempos ruin the musical speech (the tender coda of 1st section is annoying in Proença's hand).

Suite Antiga is good here, but again a little slow. I like very much Belkiss Mendonça's on Paulinas, although the greatest recording of this work is an arrangement for chamber orchestra made by the composer himself.

Both nocturnes for left hand are nice. The Nocturne Op. 33 is too slow. I pretty much prefer Ana Cândida's recording on Funarte, Galhofeira is better played by Miriam Ramos and the last five pieces are minor works for left hand, and I don't know other recordings of them.

For this album to become more interesting, I think that minor works should have been replaced by greater ones, such as Thême et Variations Op. 29 or Feuilles d'Album (both works have received fine recordings by Miguel Proença).

I recommend to buy it........1999-02-03

Alberto Nepomuceno was a great brazilian composer. His music is romantic and joyfull and even his concertos aren't fastidious to hear.

Track Listings: