Discography
Liaison
Piano Sonata, Op. 1
Schubert Piano Sonata No.17, in D Major, D 850, ‘ Gasteiner’
IV: Rondo. Allegro
Toccata
By Eric Tanguy
Liaison
Liaison, Piano Works by A. Berg, F. Schubert, B. Bartók and É. Tanguy
Featuring World premiere recording of Eric Tanguy’s Toccata.
‘Liaison’ is released on the 4th of May by Genuin Classics.
The musician has put together a subtle programme which is characterized by numerous cross-references: Berg's early sonata op. 1, Schubert's extroverted Sonata in D Major, the Romanian Folk Dances by Béla Bartók, and the world premiere recording of Éric Tanguy's Toccata (2006). The works describe dealing with the past and traditions - and the break with these. Mookie Lee-Menuhin presents all this with a sophisticated sound and a gorgeous pianistic touch - a real success!
Why ‘liaison’?
The title of the CD may cause puzzlement, but my intention was to highlight a common denominator in the choice of the works interpreted on this CD. One of the liaisons is biographical in nature: in three out of four cases, a significant change took place in the composer’s life just before the birth of the work. Another liaison, one could say, is the juxtaposition of music derived in part from folk origins of the past, as in the case of Schubert and Bartók, with music which has cast off any apparent connection to the past by jettisoning tonality as in Berg’s and Tanguy’s works.
MOOKIE’S PERFORMANCE OF BARTOK’S 6 ROMANIAN DANCES FROM ‘LIAISON’ WAS FEATURED ON ITUNES’ CLASSICAL AM PLAYLIST IN THE 2ND WEEK OF JUNE 2018.
No. 1, Joc cu bâta
No. 2, Brâul
No. 3, Pe loc
No. 4, Buciumeana
No. 5, Poarga româneasca
No. 6, Maruntel
No. 1, Joc cu bâta
No. 2, Brâul
No. 3, Pe loc
No. 4, Buciumeana
No. 5, Poarga româneasca
No. 6, Maruntel
The Voice of Rebellion
Suite for 2 Pianos in the Baroque Manner
III. Sicillien
Suite for 2 Pianos in the Baroque Manner
VI. Gigue
Transformation for 2 Pianos of Slow Movement from the Brahms’ B-Flat Major Sextet
Variations on an Original Theme for 4 Hands
The Voice of Rebellion
Why ‘The Voice Of Rebellion?’
Our philosophy is simple: we hear tonally. If we write atonally it is because a decision has been taken to write what we don’t hear, similar to a painter painting what he doesn’t see. European musical tradition has developed over at least eight centuries, from a single vocal line to a system of complex counterpoint and the subsequent invention of the well-tempered scale in the 17th century. Counterpoint, harmony and modulation are the unique offshoots of this evolution. To abandon this unprecedented language for a tower of Babel is folly and arrogance.
We consider ourselves rebellious, as we are against the sonic experiments that masquerade as serious music, but in favour of resurrecting the disciplines we have abandoned and which lie at the core of the great European tradition.
Shostakkovich
Symphony of Psalms ( Arr. D. Shostakovich)
I. Exaudi orationem meam, Domine
Symphony of Psalms ( Arr. D. Shostakovich)
II. Expectans expectavi, Dominum
Symphony of Psalms ( Arr. D. Shostakovich)
III. Alleluia. Laudate Dominum
Shostakovich
Revive this nearly forgotten score in a sensitive and compassionate performance.. prefer a more delicate touch in the opening movement .. and thus give a more ‘airborne’ quality to the tune .. convey the religious ardour of the beautiful second movement with similar restraint.. the transcendence of the movement is captured more persuasively.
DSCH Journal
Schubert - Menuhin
Allegro in A Minor, Op. 144, D. 947 Lebensstürme
Fantasie in F Minor, Op. 103, D. 940
String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 Death and the Maiden
8 Variations on an Original Theme in A-Flat Major, Op. 35, D. 813
Schubert – Menuhin
Piano Music for Four Hands by Franz Schubert, and transcription by Jeremy Menuhin
Schubert’s piano works are some of the most precious gems of the repertoire. Mindful of this, Jeremy Menuhin and his partner Mookie Lee-Menuhin approach this deep and somber music, which only approaches anything cheerful or lighthearted at rare moments, with great sensitivity. With the Menuhins, the music breathes, allowing the endless melodies and long musical lines of works like the F-minor Fantasy to unfold. An exciting new discovery is the original piano transcription, by Yehudi Menuhin’s son, of the slow movement from the “Death and the Maiden” string quartet. The two fabulous pianists are presenting it here in a world premiere recording.
Jessica Duchen