Paul Creston: Piano Music
For some decades in the middle of the twentieth century, Paul Creston (1906–85) was one of the most frequently performed of American composers, though his music has sunk from prominence in recent years. He was himself a fearsome pianist, and his Three Narratives are Lisztian concert essays that require freewheeling virtuosity. Rhythmicon is a ten-volume collection of 123 brief studies that examine various aspects of rhythm. Their difficulty grows as the series progresses, reaching its zenith in Volumes 7–10, where Creston presents 25 studies that range in mood from serious to light-hearted, from hymn-like introspection and calm to jagged, Bartokian energy.
Myron Silbertstein, piano
Listen To This Recording:
- Narrative No. 1
- Narrative No. 2
- Narrative No. 3
- No. 99 Affirmation
- No. 100 A Jest
- No. 101 Offertory
- No. 102 Mirror Etude
- No. 103 Interlude
- No. 104 Salve Regina
- No. 105 Child’s Play
- No. 106 Quasi-Barbaro
- No. 107 Hemiola
- No. 108 Barcarolle
- No. 109 Badinage
- No. 110 Secret Game
- No. 111 La Fontanella
- No. 112 Pastorale
- No. 113 Morning Song
- No. 114 Brief Encounter
- No. 115 Hommage à César Franck
- No. 116 Jaunty James
- No. 117 Brief Argument
- No. 118 Psychedelic Waltz
- No. 119 Nocturne
- No. 120 Toccata
- No. 121 Meditation
- No. 122 Burlesk
- No. 123 Epitome
Three Narratives, Op. 79 (1962)
Rhythmicon
Volume 7 (1971)
Volume 8 (c. 1973)
Volume 9 (c. 1974)
Volume 10 (1974)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘If you already have a taste for warrior celebrants of the piano such as Stevenson, Sorabji and Chisholm then line this one up in your sights. Let’s hope that Silberstein will next turn to the earlier books of Rhythmicon and perhaps some more orchestral works. Step forward Naxos and Albany.’
—Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International