Pianist Diane Walsh is heard in four masterpieces from the first half of the twentieth century. This newly re-mastered release was originally recorded in 1990 for Music and Arts. From the moment that Vladimir Horowitz premiered Samuel Barber's "Sonata", Op. 26, in Havana, December 1949, Barber's brilliant and poetic score has been regarded as a piano classic. Composed and dedicated to pianist Dinu Lipatti, Frank Martin's "8 Preludes" offer a wide range of moods and textures. Prokofiev's "Sonata No. 2", the earliest work in this collection, was composed in 1912. Regarded then as ‘ultra-modern', this piece's driving rhythms and virtuosity were a perfect vehicle for the young composer/pianist, who premiered the sonata in 1914, in St. Petersburg. Bartók also premiered his own "Sonata", in Budapest, December, 1926. The work's motoric rhythms and violent outbursts are given a performance of great intensity by Diane Walsh. Diane Walsh's numerous awards over a 35-year international career include the top prizes at the Munich International Piano Competition and the Salzburg International Mozart Competition.
Reviews:
“Diane Walsh’s 1990 recital devoted to four pianistic pillars from the first half of the 20th century receives a new and hopefully permanent lease on life via the Bridge label. Her intelligent virtuosity offers pleasure and insight in equal doses. It’s good to have this first-rate release back in the catalog, complete with the pianist’s excellent annotations. Warmly recommended.” - ClassicsToday.com
“She gives four immensely satisfying and stunning performances of some of the piano literature’s most marvelous and difficult works.” - The Post-Star
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Samuel Barber
Sonata for Piano, Op. 26
Frank Martin
8 Preludes for Piano
Sergei Prokofiev
Sonata No. 2 in d, Op. 14
Bela Bartok
Sonata for Piano
Diane Walsh, piano
BRIDGE 9151