Boston Etudes
New Focus, 2024
9/10
The Boston piano wizard Jihye Chang presents an assembly of work commissioned in 2020-2021, where some of the area’s most luminous composers are represented across the 8 selections.
Dan VanHassel’s “A Bit Of Noise In The System” opens with the mesmerizing keys and are layered with a nearly mechanical energy of exciting arpeggios amid some jarring bouts, and “Nam-Ok Lee”, by Eun Young Lee, follows with a colorful and rumbling moment of rich creativity.
Marti Epstein’s “bariolage” lands in the middle and emits strong attention to pitch in a soft climate, while “Idée fixe” is split between a reserved, introspective vision and a flowing, expressive delivery of the William David Cooper piece.
The record exits with Stratis Minakakis’ “Lowell Études: Three Etchings On Solitude”, where the 3 movements embrace extended techniques, vibration of a piano string, and timbral gestures of awe and wonder.
A solo piano effort of sensitive interpretation, Chang’s delivery is heartfelt, colorful and full of inspiring piano playing that few others could replicate.
Travels well with: Adam Mirza- Partial Knowledge; David Fulmer- Immaculate sigh of stars