DEDICATIONS
STEVEN SPOONER, Piano
A Life Of Music Records
(15 CDs + 1 DVD) / ****1/2
American
pianist Steven Spooner, professor of piano at the University of Kansas, was
largely trained in the Russian School of piano playing. Having studied both in
Moscow and Tblisi (Georgia), the repertoire he presents in this handy box-set
mirrors those favoured by his pianistic idols, namely Sviatoslav Richter
(represented by 8 CDs), Vladimir Horowitz (3 CDs), Emil Gilels and Van Cliburn
(who himself was taught by a Russian).
He does not slavishly copy their styles.
Instead he summons their collective spirits, allied with playing informed by
his schooling, which emphasises interpretive rigour and solid technique.
Alongside
heavyweight works such as Liszt's Sonata in B minor, Schubert's Sonata
in B flat major and song cycle Winterreise (with baritone Chris
Thompson), Brahms' Piano Quintet (with the Borromeo Quartet) and
Debussy's Préludes Book 1 (3 performances), one will also find
rarities and gems.
His teacher, the Georgian pianist Nodar Gabunia's A
Pupil's Diary, Schnittke's rarely-heard Piano Concerto and American
Mohammed Fairouz's Second Sonata are well worth several listens, while
Arensky's Elegie in G minor is a melody to die for.
Spooner's own
improvisations of gospel hymns and Concert Etudes in the styles of
Martha Argerich, Keith Jarrett and Horowitz make perfect encores. In lieu of
printed programme notes, he supplies audio commentaries at the end of each disc
which are both insightful and personal.
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