Piano Spectrums
Navona, 2022
8/10
The inimitable pianist Anna Kislitsyna brings much emotion and care to these modern pieces, where the artist adapts to each composer’s distinct vision with incredible proficiency that can be both tender and firm.
Michael Cohen’s “Prelude” opens the listen with Kislitsyna’s agile and exciting keys being both warm and adventurous, and “Five Mise-en-scènes for Piano, Book Two” follows with an eloquent intimacy, as the delicate delivery is quite soothing.
Deeper yet, “Etude For Concert”, by Zhiyi Wang, illustrates incredible progressions with the keys that’s quite dizzying, while “Variations On A Theme Of Beethoven” dances with fluid melodies amid the classical ideas. The final track, “Time And Again”, by Bruce Babcock, rumbles cautiously before moving swiftly with a hypnotic and gripping demeanor.
A truly exceptional solo piano listen, Kislitsyna makes the most of each track, and uses every moment to enthrall us with her sublime craft.
Travels well with: Joys Abiding- Soprano And Baritone Duets By Historical Women Composers; John Mitchell’s Quartets- Seasons