Prepare to be enchanted by the exquisite artistry of Lester Donahue in his upcoming album, "114 Classical Music Evocations": Wiegend Und Weich, set to release on July 30, 2025, under the Novus Promusica label. This captivating collection of classical piano pieces is a testament to Donahue's virtuosity and his deep connection with the timeless compositions of masters such as Bach, Chopin, Brahms, and many more.
Spanning a duration of 2 hours and 10 minutes, this album is a carefully curated journey through the rich tapestry of classical music. Each of the 114 tracks has been selected and performed with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing Donahue's technical prowess and emotional depth. From the playful "Children at Play" by Béla Bartók to the hauntingly beautiful "Gnossienne No.3" by Erik Satie, the album offers a diverse and engaging exploration of the classical repertoire.
The album opens with a delightful rendition of "Children at Play" from Bartók's "For Children" suite, immediately drawing the audience into a world of musical wonder. Throughout the album, Donahue masterfully navigates a wide range of styles and moods, from the lively "Romanian Folk Dances" to the serene "Barcarolle" by Chopin. The inclusion of lesser-known pieces, such as "Impromptus on a Theme by Clara Schumann" and "Kaleidoscope" by August Söderman, adds a fresh and intriguing dimension to the collection.
Donahue's interpretations are both sensitive and dynamic, bringing out the unique character of each piece. Whether it's the delicate touch required for the "Lieder Ohne Worte" by Mendelssohn or the powerful virtuosity demanded by the "Grandes Études De Paganini" by Liszt, Donahue's performances are nothing short of breathtaking. The album also features several arrangements for piano, including works by Katrina Penman and Sergei Prokofiev, showcasing Donahue's versatility and adaptability as a musician.
"114 Classical Music Evocations": Wiegend Und Weich is not just a collection of beautiful music; it is a celebration of the classical piano tradition and a tribute to the composers who have shaped it. Lester Donahue's extraordinary talent and passion shine through in every note, making this album a true gem for classical music enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Prepare to be transported to a world of musical splendor as Lester Donahue takes you on a journey through the timeless beauty of classical piano.
2025 Novus Promusica2025 Novus Promusica
Tracks
Children at Play from for Children Sz. 42Béla Bartók, Anna Miernik
Romanian Folk Dances: No. 2 Waistband DanceBéla Bartók, Anna Miernik
Hungarian Folk Song from for Children Sz. 42Béla Bartók, Anna Miernik
Polonaise in D Minor BWV S. Anh. 128 - Anonymus from J.S. Bach S Notebook for Anna Magdalena BachJohann Sebastian Bach, Anna Miernik
Impromptus on a Theme by Clara Schumann, Op. 5: No. 2, LebhafterRobert Schumann, Noemí Teruel Serrano
6 Lieder Ohne Worte, Op. 18 in E-Dur: Vi. Am Arno. Wiegend Und WeichDelphine von Schauroth, Arcadie Triboi
Dos Piezas Griegas: II. AllegroAntón García Abril, Laura Ballestrino
Kaleidoscope. Op. 40, No.4 - Duo-Art 6845Josef Hofmann, Peter Phillips
Romance, Op. 26Piotr Rytel, Anna Miernik, Barbara Borowicz
Spring, Op. 74 No. 2Frédéric Chopin, Anna Miernik
L' Amour Des Trois Oranges.: Intermezzo - March (Arr. Solo Piano by Prokofiev) - Duo-Art 6477Sergei Prokofiev, Peter Phillips
March in D Major BWV Anh. 122-C. Ph. E. Bach from the Anna Magdalena Bach S BookJohann Sebastian Bach, Anna Miernik
Twelve Etudes. Op. 39. No.8. Shadow Dance - Duo-Art 5791Edward MacDowell, Victor Wittgenstein, Peter Phillips
Four Little Poems, Op. 32: No. 1, the Eagle - Duo-Art 6136Edward MacDowell, Lester Donahue, Peter Phillips
Etude, Op. 37 in F Major - Duo-Art 5860Anatoly Lyadov, Peter Phillips, Josef Martin
3 Preludes: Prelude No. 1George Gershwin, Anna Miernik
Etudes, Op. 25: No. 2 in F Minor, 'the Bees' (Arr. For 4 Hands Piano by Brahms) - Duo-Art 6265Frédéric Chopin, Rose Sutro, Ottilie Sutro, Peter Phillips
Prelude, Op. 28 No. 6 in B MinorFrédéric Chopin, Anna Miernik
Bedouin Dance - Duo-Art 6367Anis Fuleihan, Peter Phillips
Etudes, Op. 10: No. 8, in F Major 'Sunshine' - Duo-Art 6414Frédéric Chopin, Peter Phillips, Ossip Gabrilowitsch
Grandes Études De Paganini, S. 141: No. 4, Vivo - Duo-Art 70249Franz Liszt, Peter Phillips, Magdeleine Brard
Faschingsschwank Aus Wien, Op. 26: No. 2, Romance in G Minor - Welte-Mignon 1315Robert Schumann, Raoul Stéphane Pugno, Peter Phillips
Caprice in B-Flat Major - Duo-Art 69079Domenico Scarlatti, Ernest Hutcheson, Peter Phillips
A Day in Venice, Op. 25: No. 2, Gondolieri - Duo-Art D-879Ethelbert Nevin, Robert Armbruster, Peter Phillips
Romance, Op. 118, No .5 in F Major - Duo-Art 74127Johannes Brahms, Constance McGlinchee, Peter Phillips
2 Piano Pieces, Op. 157: No. 2, La Fileuse. Etude - Welte-Mignon 424Joachim Raff, Peter Phillips, Karl Wendling
In a Nutshell Suite: No. 4, Gumsucker's March (4 Hands Piano) - Duo-Art 6059Percy Grainger, Lotta Hough, Peter Phillips
Murmuring Zephyrs. (Murmelndes Luftchen) Op. 21, No .4 - Duca 10Adolf Jensen, Peter Phillips, Willy Rehberg
Cantata BWV 29 (Arr. Solo Piano by Siloti): Prelude. "We Thank You God, We Thank You" "Wir Danken Dir, Gott, Wir Danken Dir" - Duo-Art 66000Johann Sebastian Bach, Alexander Siloti, Peter Phillips
Barcarolle, Op. 14 - Duo-Art 65888Selim Palmgren, Peter Phillips
Sonata in A Major, K. 113 - Duca 1958Domenico Scarlatti, Peter Phillips, Leandro Criscuolo
Romance in C-Sharp Minor - Welte-Mignon 1453Ernest Schelling, Peter Phillips
Berceuse, Op. 57, in D-Flat Major - Duo-Art 7066Frédéric Chopin, Peter Phillips, Josef Hofmann
Waltz, Op. 42 (Grand Valse) in A-Flat Major - Welte-Mignon 245Frédéric Chopin, Xaver Scharwenka, Peter Phillips
Fantasia in D Minor, K. 397 - Duo-Art 5677Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Peter Phillips, Alexander Raab
Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, 'Pathetique': III. Rondo - Welte-Mignon 562Ludwig van Beethoven, Peter Phillips, Frederic Lamond
Der Erlkonig (Erlking, Transcription by Liszt) - Welte-Mignon 1260Franz Schubert, Peter Phillips, Ignacy Jan Paderewski
German Dance in A Major WoO 42Ludwig van Beethoven, Anna Miernik
Imperial Anthem from the String Quartet in C MajorJoseph Haydn, Anna Miernik
Prelude, Op. 28, No. 23 in F MajorFrédéric Chopin, Ferruccio Busoni, Peter Phillips