Grieg Lyric Pieces
Prospero, 2024
9/10
The Israeli-American pianist Daniel Gortler brings us 21 of his favorite pieces from Grieg’s poetic piano diary penned between 1867 and 1901.
“Arietta” opens the listen with the light and agile keys emitting much warmth and beauty, and “Berceuse” follows with much grace being emitted from the meticulous and stirring progressions.
Further along, “To The Spring” carries a bright tone of playful yet precise finger acrobatics, while “Album Leaf” has the keys dancing around a melodic and lush climate that is the album’s best selection.
Nearing the end, “Peasant’s Song” pays close attention to mood, as Gortler’s profound control of his instrument yields harmonic gestures, and “Peace Of The Woods” continues the sophistication with radiant songwriting that we could never tire of.
Gortler’s resume includes being a soloist with the London Philharmonic, Berlin Radio Symphony, and Bavarian Radio Symphony, to name a few, and this debut album for Prospero Classical is executed with much care and superb, inimitable playing.
Travels well with: Kodály- Háry János Suite; Quynh Nguyen- The Flower Of France