Oscar Levant, a renowned pianist and composer, presents a captivating collection of modern classical pieces in his album "Oscar Levant Plays Popular Moderns." Released on August 24, 2018, under the Sony Classical label, this album is a testament to Levant's virtuosity and his ability to breathe new life into both familiar and lesser-known works.
Spanning a diverse range of composers, the album features 25 tracks that showcase Levant's technical prowess and interpretive depth. From the delicate and introspective "Clair de Lune" by Debussy to the lively and rhythmic "Golliwog's Cake-walk" from Children's Corner, Levant navigates each piece with precision and artistry. The album also includes works by Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, among others, offering a rich tapestry of musical styles and influences.
One of the highlights of the album is Levant's rendition of "Fire Dance" from Manuel de Falla's "El amor brujo," a piece that showcases his ability to convey both passion and technical brilliance. The album also features Levant's interpretations of Bach's Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825, demonstrating his mastery of Baroque forms and his ability to bring a fresh perspective to classical repertoire.
With a total duration of 58 minutes, "Oscar Levant Plays Popular Moderns" is a concise yet comprehensive exploration of modern classical music. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rewarding listening experience that highlights the timeless appeal of these works and the extraordinary talent of Oscar Levant.
(P) 2018 Sony Music Entertainment
Tracks
3 Preludes (Remastered): I. Allegro ben ritmato e decisoGeorge Gershwin, Oscar Levant
3 Preludes (Remastered): II. Andante con moto e poco rubatoGeorge Gershwin, Oscar Levant
3 Preludes (Remastered): III. Allegro ben ritmato e decisoGeorge Gershwin, Oscar Levant
Préludes, Livre 1, L. 117: V. Les collines d'Anacapri. Tres modéré (Remastered)Claude Debussy, Oscar Levant
Estampes, L. 100: III. Jardins sous la pluie - Net et vif (Remastered)Claude Debussy, Oscar Levant
Six Short Études, Op. 19 (Remastered): No. 1Valery Zhelobinsky, Oscar Levant
Six Short Études, Op. 19 (Remastered): No. 2Valery Zhelobinsky, Oscar Levant
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 2 in A Minor (Remastered)Dmitri Shostakovich, Oscar Levant
The Age of Gold - Suite, Op. 22a: III. Polka (Remastered)Dmitri Shostakovich, Oscar Levant
Sonatine, M. 40: II. Mouvement de menuet (Remastered)Maurice Ravel, Oscar Levant
Sonatina: I. Con ritmo (Remastered)Oscar Levant
Fire Dance (From "El amor brujo") [Remastered]Manuel de Falla, Oscar Levant
Malagueña (From Suite "Andalucia") [Remastered]Ernesto Lecuona, Oscar Levant
L'Eventail de Jeane - Pastourelle (Remastered)Francis Poulenc, Oscar Levant
Children's Corner, L. 113: 6. Golliwog's Cake-walk (Remastered)Claude Debussy, Oscar Levant
Préludes, Livre 1, L. 117: VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin (Remastered)Claude Debussy, Oscar Levant
Suite bergamasque, L. 75: 3. Clair de lune (Remastered)Claude Debussy, Oscar Levant
Mouvements perpétuels, FP 14 (Remastered)Francis Poulenc, Oscar Levant
El sombrero de tres picos, Suite No. 2: Danza del molinero No. 2 (Remastered)Manuel de Falla, Oscar Levant
España, Op. 165: 2. Tango (Remastered)Isaac Albéniz, Oscar Levant
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: I. PraeludiumJohann Sebastian Bach, Oscar Levant
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: II. AllemandeJohann Sebastian Bach, Oscar Levant
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: IV. SarabandeJohann Sebastian Bach, Oscar Levant
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: V. Menuet I & IIJohann Sebastian Bach, Oscar Levant
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VI. GigueJohann Sebastian Bach, Oscar Levant