[ Chandos Classics / CD ]
Release Date: Tuesday 26 April 2011
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On his first solo recital disc for Chandos, Philip Edward Fisher performs piano works by members of the so-called 'Mighty Handful', a group of five Russian composers - César Cui, Alexander Borodin, Mily Balakirev, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
"Fisher gives thoroughly compelling performances of both Pictures and Islamey, finding apt characterisation and colour in the Mussorgsky without falling into the trap, as some pianists have done, of trying to reinvent the music...[Islamey] comes across with a winning mix of allure and brilliance. the disc reveals an intriguing facet of a coterie of composers generally remembered for their orchestral music and operas." (Daily Telegraph Five Stars)
"[Pictures and Islamey] give him a chance to show off his virtuosity and assured technique...Still, the real interest here resides in the more modest works that come in between...This music may be light, but it still stands up to repeated listening." (BBC Music)
"Pictures is given a fine, muscular performance without being outstanding; Islamey boasts transparently clear textures at the expense of spine-tingling bravura...An interesting concept to have keyboard works from each of 'The Five' ranged alongside one another on the same disc" (Classic FM)
Balakirev:
Islamey - Oriental Fantasy
Rêverie in F major
Borodin:
Petite Suite
Scherzo in A flat
Cui:
Nocturne in F sharp minor
Mussorgsky:
Pictures at an Exhibition (piano version)
Rimsky Korsakov:
Scherzino, Op. 11, No. 3
Waltz, Op. 15, No. 1
Romanze A flat major op. 15 No. 2