Piano music offers an inexhaustible treasure trove of expressive possibilities that have developed over the centuries.
Two recent recordings by Bruce Liu and Nicolas Hodges make this fact impressively clear, as at first glance, they could hardly be more different. While Bruce Liu concentrates on the poetically intimate sound world of the 19th century with Tchaikovsky’s Seasons cycle, Nicolas Hodges’ album presents contemporary works from the 20th and 21st centuries that challenge the listener with sound experiments and interpretative freedom. Both albums open up insights into the respective musical epoch and show how differently pianists can approach piano music.
The intimate sound world of the 19th century: Bruce Liu with The Seasons
On his second album for Deutsche Grammophon, Bruce Liu devotes himself to the often underestimated Tchaikovsky as a composer for solo piano. In his usually criminally neglected Seasons, he succeeds in creating a nuanced interpretation that emphasizes the delicate and poetic facets of this music. Liu knows how to maintain a balance between programmatic and absolute music and to present the monthly pictures as finely crafted miniatures of sound. His technical perfection goes hand in hand with an emotional approach that invites the listener to engage with the quiet moments of these works.
Above all, Liu’s ability to play Tchaikovsky’s pieces, which are also inspired by folk music, in such a way that they retain their intimacy and yet develop a colorful and virile life of their own is impressive. His interpretation always remains authentic and allows Tchaikovsky’s tonal world to shine in all its facets. The contrast between the solemn, sometimes dance-like passages and the introspective moments creates an emotional as well as intellectual tension that is present throughout the recording. Tchaikovsky can be experienced here as a composer who writes music with a fine sense of depth, even in small compositional forms, which leaves the audience quiet and thoughtful. An absolute plus point is the sound quality of the recording, which is wonderfully natural. And what is particularly pleasing is that the vinyl release testifies to a high production quality that is unfortunately no longer commonplace today.
The sound experiments of modernity: Nicolas Hodges with contemporary piano music
Nicolas Hodges takes a completely different approach to the piano music he presents on his new album. Works by composers such as André Boucourechliev, Rebecca Saunders and Rolf Riehm place the highest demands on performers and listeners alike. This music demands not only technical skill, but also a willingness to embrace the radical sound ideas of modernism. This 25th production by the formidable and experimental Berlin label bastille musique has the corona pandemic to thank – a canceled live concert was quickly rescheduled in the recording studio, and the result can now be enjoyed two years later.
Boucourechliev’s Archipels is a prime example of how the freedom of the performer becomes the central creative moment in modern music. Hodges uses this creative freedom to create a sonic experience with the individual building blocks of the score, revealing new aspects in each of the three recorded versions. Saunders’ To an Utterance also challenges the pianist with its unbridled energy and unusual sound effects. Wild glissandi and percussive beats allow the piano to meander between harp and percussion and push the limits of what is technically possible. Hodges meets these challenges not only with technical brilliance, but also with his ability to shape abstract sound ideas into lively musical experiences that are capable of captivating even the most inexperienced listener. One of Hodges’ particular strengths is that he is able to give even seemingly disparate sound elements an inner logic. In Riehm’s Ciao, carissimo Claudio – a sound-painting homage to Venice – he achieves this in an impressive way. The fusion of Monteverdi’s madrigals, the exotic sounds of steel drums and electronic feeds is neither arbitrary nor overloaded, but forms a sonic panorama full of atmosphere and emotional intensity. As always, the label overwhelms the listener with an extensive, instructive booklet and a wonderful box including various photo prints. A plea for the CD as a high-quality sound carrier.
The two albums could hardly be more different, and yet they complement each other in their juxtaposition in a fascinating way. Liu embodies the contemplative and structural beauty of romantic piano music, which captivates with its poetic intimacy. Hodges, on the other hand, stands for the adventurousness and openness of modern music, experimenting with new sound spaces and interpretative freedom. Both pianists demonstrate that the piano can be both a medium for quiet, introspective moments and a platform for radical tonal innovations. A dialog between tradition and modernity that focuses on the versatility of the instrument.
Peter Tschaikowsky – The Seasons
Bruce Liu
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Format: CD, LP, DL 24/192
Saunders, Riehm, Boucourechliev – Archipels
Nicolas Hodges
Label: bastille musique
Format: CD, DL 16/44