Eclectic Sounds
Navona, 2022
9/10
The esteemed pianist Alexander Tchobanov brings his meticulous playing to pieces by L.V. Beethoven, Béla Bartók, Pantcho Vladigerov and Alexander Vladigerov, across the aptly titled affair.
Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 30 Op. 109” opens the listen with fluid and swift finger acrobatics that incorporate firm versus soft moments of incredible playing, and Bartók’s “Sonata Sz. 80” follows with a strategic rumbling that cultivates an animated and very expressive climate.
On the back half, Pantcho Vladigerov’s “Piano Pieces Op. 15 No. 1 Prelude” emits both grace and adventurousness in its careful exploration, and Alexander Vladigerov’s “Dilmano Dilbero Variations Op. 2” exits with very quick and atmospheric progressions that are quite stunning.
A careful listen of contrasting textures that are as meticulous as they are memorable, this is a solo piano recording that is a must for those with an ear for the instrument.
Travels well with: Vincent Ho- Sandman’s Castle; Peter Drew- Symphony No. 1 “Reminiscence”