REFLECTIONS (Відображення) on Ukrainian Piano Music is a projected anthology of 5 CD volumes devoted to Ukrainian piano music, an undiscovered treasury of pianist wealth. The composer and critic Jed Distler listened to Volume 1, “The Messenger” prior to its release, provided for TNC Recordings the following written endorsement: “Here is piano music that needs to be known, piano music that abounds with visceral vibrancy and expressive intensity, not to mention being skillfully and subtly wrought for the instrument.” But no anthology can pretend to cover everything worthy. In print, one can include a very large number of works; in recording, time that 5 CDs allow becomes frame. So choices had to be made, and the driving force behind these choices was the brilliant and brave pianist, Timothy Hoft. The final decisions were made by him. The emphasis was on 20th century; Lyatoshynsky’s two piano sonatas, composed in the 1920s and the suite Reflections established the criteria. Valentin Bibik’s remarkable 34 Preludes and Fugues was the next choice, and the three sonatas by Valentin Silvestrov completed the first basic repertoire choices. TNC CD 1571 Volume 2, Double Reflection and TNC CD 1572 Volume 3, Mirrors and Sonatas are also currently available as downloads. The repertoire for Volumes 4 and 5 is being finalized and will be announced on this website and on Facebook in January.
Under The Radar: Ukrainian Piano Treasures
A disclaimer is in order. I heard this disc prior to its release, and provided a written endorsement on the jacket that states: “Here is piano music that needs to be known, piano music that abounds with visceral vibrancy and expressive intensity, not to mention being skillfully and subtly wrought for the instrument.” So it’s probably a conflict of interest for me to review this CD. However, because the riches of 20th century Ukrainian piano music are largely unfamiliar to serious American collectors, I feel that I can make an exception... TNC’s superb sonics and Baley’s informative annotations enhance my enthusiastic recommendation. If you care about 20th century piano music, don’t miss this disc.
Artistic Quality: 10
Sound Quality: 10
—Jed Distler, Classics Today (Download the complete review)
REFLECTIONS (Відображення) on Ukrainian Piano Music TNC 1570
(new release)
The 1st volume, The Messenger, is the 1st volume of a projected anthology of 5 volumes devoted to Ukrainian piano music, an undiscovered treasury of pianist wealth. But no anthology can pretend to cover everything worthy. In print, one can include a very large number of works; in recording, the main constraint is time limitation. So choices had to be made, and the driving force behind these choices was the brilliant and brave pianist, Timothy Hoft. The final decision was made by him. Certain decisions seemed obvious: Lyatoshynsky’s two piano sonatas and the suite Reflections established the criteria. Valentin Bibik’s remarkable 34 Preludes and Fugues was the next choice, and the three sonatas by Valentin Silvestrov completed the first basic repertoire choices. Volume 2 and Volume 3 are now being released and downloads of both CD are now available. The repertoire for Volumes 4 and 5 is being finalized and will be announced on this website and Facebook in January.
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