Sogny: Piano Works

Sogny was born in France in 1947 of Hungarian descent, and draws on the "Hungarian style" in a number of his piano pieces, continuing a rich heritage of music dating back to Liszt and Brahms, as well as the earlier folk traditions that inspired them. Sogny's links with Liszt go even deeper: in composing for piano students, he continues a tradition espoused by Liszt's teacher, Carl Czerny, a prolific composer of piano studies that are still widely played today. Sogny's method has added a substantial new branch to that longstanding and wide-spreading tree, helping adults and children alike to develop their proficiency on the instrument and foster a lifelong love of playing. Indeed, Sogny has been internationally recognised for his work: he was awarded the ONU Peace Medal and received a diploma of honour by UNESCO.

Of Sogny's style, Tamar Beraia writes in her artist statement, a feature of Odradek album booklets: "In his virtuosicEtudes andPieces one can feel the diversity of the Hungarian spirit, conveyed with simplicity and precision.Entrevision transports the listener to the sphere of rich imagination. The transparency of the textures and the intensity of the expression play a major role; inner intuitive impulses awaken hidden sensations."