Charles Wuorinen: A Tribute
Bridge, 2022
8/10
Listen to Charles Wuorinen: A Tribute
The American pianist Steven Beck pays tribute to both Charles Wuorinen and J.S. Bach here, and it’s a dynamic, intricate and dramatic display of his excellent and exciting skills.
The first half of the listen belongs to Wuorinen’s work, where “The Haroun Piano Book” opens with the expressive, sometimes mysterious keys unfolding with playfulness and intimacy, and “Etude (For Chords And Dynamic Balance)” follows with great use of space and tension in the very focused, mood oriented display.
Deeper into this portion, “Adagio” is full of meticulous and cautious ideas, while “Scherzo” is quite animated in its frisky and unpredictable demeanor.
Bach’s section leads with the 32 movements of “Goldberg Variations”, where the precise finger gestures capture the essence of the legend’s work with incredible dexterity, and “Prelude And Fugue In A Major, BWV 864” exits the dancing keys making for much melody in the very quick execution.
Beck’s been quite prolific lately, offering us his inimitable work with George Walker's Five Piano Sonatas not long ago, and he continues that direction with this superb tribute record.
Travels well with: Rune Most- Flute Concertos; George Walker- Five Piano Concertos