Marc-André Hamelin: Études, 'Cathy's Variations' etc

Hamelin:
Étude No. 1 in A minor 'Triple Étude, after Chopin'; No. 2 in E minor 'Coma Berenices; No. 3 in B minor 'after Paganini-Liszt'
No. 4 in C minor 'Étude à mouvement perpétuellement semblable, after Alkan; No. 5 in G minor 'Toccata grottesca'
No. 6 in D minor 'Esercizio per pianoforte, Omaggio a Domenico Scarlatti; No. 7 in E flat minor 'after Tchaikovsky, for the left hand alone'
No. 8 in B flat minor 'Erlkönig, after Goethe'; No. 9 in F minor 'after Rossini'
Étude No. 10 in F sharp minor 'after Chopin'; No. 11 in C sharp minor 'Minuetto'; No. 12 in A flat minor 'Prelude and Fugue'
Little Nocturne
Con intimissimo sentimento
Theme and Variations 'Cathy's Variations'

Marc-André Hamelin (piano)

Hyperion - CDA67789

This disc is a rare delight, establishing Hamelin firmly in the Composer/Pianist pantheon. The pieces are imaginitively varied and the prevailing impression is of a joy in invention and an easy mastery which puts virtuosity into the background.

Hamelin hopes, and so do I, that these compositions will tempt other recitalists. Some are easier, Con intimissimo sentimento collected for less capable players, and his Theme & Variations celebrates the current love of his life, Cathy Fuller.

An important disc of music by an important composer for the piano, who presents them as far more than virtuoso vehicles and stakes a claim in the tradition of Chopin and Godowsky. Hamelin's own extensive notes are detailed and interesting, so get the disc, don't just download the tracks.
Several items are available to watch Hamelin playing them on YouTube *, an opportunity not to be missed, which speaks louder than words... Enjoyment promised

Peter Grahame Woolf

* 1 & 2