Childhood Tales
Decca, 2023
8/10
The exceptional pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason returns with a 3rd album, where the spirit of childhood is fleshed out with the help of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra across the 4 expansive pieces.
Mozart’s “12 Variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je Maman", K. 265” opens the listen with 13 swift and warm pieces that illustrates calculated and rich playing, and Dohnányi’s “Variations on a Nursery Song” recruits the orchestra for a booming and often cinematic presence of both busy bursts and calmer moments of beauty.
On the back half, Debussy's “Children’s Corner” emits fascinating progressions via Kanneh-Mason’s stunning finger acrobatics, while Schumann’s “Kinderszenen” displays both gentle moments of intimacy and flowing keys that are as memorable as they are timeless.
An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, the Dolby Atmos Technology captures Kanneh-Mason’s inimitable playing superbly, and the orchestra certainly helps illuminate the gripping nature of the compositions.
Travels well with: Eric Whitacre-Home; Jesseye Norman- The Unreleased Masters