I Like Love: I Love Love [CD-single]

I Like Love: I Love Love [CD-single]

Track Listings

1. Radio Edit

2. Extended Mix

3. Morris T. Remix

Tracks:

Fairy Tale in b Flat, Op.20, No.1
Son in C, Op. 53 'Waldstein': Allegro Con Brio
Son in C, Op. 53 'Waldstein': Intro: Adagio Molto
Son in C, Op. 53 'Waldstein': Rondo: Allegretto Moderato
Son No.2 'Concord, Mass., 1840-1860': 'The Alcotts'
Son in D, K.491, L.164
Miroirs: Alborada Del Gracioso
Au Lac De Wallenstadt
Ballade No.1 in g, Op.23

Album Description

A dazzling selection of piano favorites of blockbuster popularity, brilliantly performed by gifted artist Jennifer Tao on the Eroica label. The Medtner work leads the listener through an emotional forest of wild, even hair-raising intensity. American Record Guide (see review) found the Medtner impressive with Taos' ferbile and persuasive sense of rubato. Writing about the Beethoven sonata, ARG called her tone rich and unforced, with chordings that pile up sonorously in climactic passages, ending with a finale that flows confidently and with a sense of grand design. Beethoven's opening material is an exquisitely complicated and richly nuanced subject for a sonata movement, followed by a hymnlike, lyrical second movement which develops into effortlessly flowing triplets and intensifies into sixteenth notes where the rhythmic impulse asserts itself again. All of this finally subsides into a flowing, scalar passage work, melting into the gentle closing with its swift modulations. The ensuing development and recapitulation cast a new light on this richly varied exposition, rounding out Beethoven's multifarious proposition. In the summer of 1835, Franz Liszt followed his lover, the unhappily married Contesse Marie d'Agoult, to Switzerland. The lake imparted a soothing serenity to the lovers, just as the expansive, open sonoroties and lulling rhythm of the piano composition give graceful haven to the simple melody. One of the most impressive qualities of the work is the left hand accompaniment. The root of the arpeggiated chord strikes off the main beat, giving a pleasantly disorienting sensation. The beauty of the melody is augmented in the reprise by virtuoso touches that suggest the impression of a clear but distant voice yodeling. Au lac is a masterpiece, a shimmering landscape of crystal clear sounds, free of discord and stress. Chopin's Ballade focuses on its lyrical and at times passionate second theme, which erupts into a cathartic waltz. Throughout, Jennifer Tao's virtuoso pianism remains positive and mature, faithfully serving the dramatic function of one of Chopin's most popular compositions. All's well that ends well, and the Ballade returns, after the final statement of its opening theme, with an almost unbearable frenzy that carries us wildly to the fateful conclusion.

Customer Reviews:

Very nice, good selection of tunes and superb piano playing.......2001-12-08

The sound on this album is clear and crisp, while Tao's renderings are absolutely elegant. She plays with an excellent balance of drama and delicacy, never overwhelming her pieces but at the same time, fully in command. Her Medtner is fanciful but never playful -- she takes this work very seriously, and it shows in all the strong nuances she's able to pull from the notes and phrasing. The Waldstein is marvellous. Tao reaches into the depths of this music to draw out every ounce of drama, yet the work never suffers from becoming morbid or tense -- in fact, the drama comes off almost as joyful. I admit, the Ives was too discordant for me, but the Ravel is tender while at the same time lively and bold. This is strong pianism, very confident. Play this CD louder than you would ordinarily do -- the sound is so great that you'll feel as if you were sitting right next to Tao and her piano (it must be a steinway) in the concert hall. I'm very much looking forward to this pianist's next albums! If you like solo piano and if you like a commanding performance, do not neglect this album. It is delightful and will certainly become one of the favorites in your collection.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review