Teclas De Mi Piano
Albany, 2022
8/10
The Pulitzer Prize winner Tania León enlists the pianist Adam Kent for these 11 pieces that were composed across 50 years from student works, and showcase Kent’s inimitable skills with the keys.
“Homenatge” opens the listen with the dizzying keys emitting much skill and warmth as they advance in very fascinating ways, and “Tumbao” follows with an acutely striking melody that unfolds with incredible finger acrobatics.
Halfway through, “Rituál” rumbles with a bit of cautiousness, where the lower register is quite absorbing as the setting builds into a swift, dense execution, while “Mística” flows with an unpredictable, cinematic quality that’s firm and adventurous.
Close to the end, “going…gone”, the best track, radiates energetic, meticulous bouts amid calmer ebbs, and “Variación” exits with harmonic gestures that are full of breezy beauty.
A native to Cuba, León came to the U.S. in 1967, and ended up being a founding member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. There’s been many awards and accolades along the way, and here Kent illuminates her eclectic vision with a flawless delivery.
Travels well with: Eric Schorr- New York Pretending To Be Paris; Nancy Hill Elton- Nancy Hill Elton Plays Chopin And Rachmaninoff