Earl Wild, the renowned American pianist and composer, presents a captivating collection of his own compositions and transcriptions in "The Piano Music of Earl Wild." Released on November 1, 2010, this album is a testament to Wild's virtuosity and his deep appreciation for the works of George Gershwin. The album spans a total of 79 minutes and is divided into three CDs, offering a comprehensive exploration of Wild's musical genius.
The album opens with the grand "Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess," a spectacular pianistic journey through the beloved opera by Gershwin. This piece is followed by "Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin," a series of etudes that showcase Wild's technical prowess and his ability to reinterpret Gershwin's melodies. The album also includes "Improvisation on Someone to Watch Over Me," a set of variations that demonstrate Wild's improvisational skills, and the "Piano Sonata," a three-movement work that highlights his compositional abilities.
Earl Wild's transcriptions and original works are known for their complexity and brilliance, and this album is no exception. The pieces included in this collection are not just technical showpieces, but also deeply expressive and melodic. Wild's interpretations of Gershwin's music are particularly noteworthy, as he brings a unique perspective to these well-known tunes.
This album is a must-listen for fans of classical piano music and Gershwin's works. It offers a rare opportunity to hear the complete transcriptions and original piano works of Earl Wild, one of the most accomplished pianists of the 20th century. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "The Piano Music of Earl Wild" is sure to impress and delight.
2010 Chandos Records2010 Chandos Records
Tracks
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: IntroductionEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: I. Jasbo Brown BluesEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: II. SummertimeEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: III. Oh, I Can't Sit DownEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: IV. My Man's Gone NowEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: V. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'Earl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: VI. Buzzard SongEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: VII. It Ain't Necessarily SoEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: VIII. Bess, You is My Woman NowEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: IX. I Loves You, Porgy - Bess, You is My Woman NowEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: X. There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New YorkEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Grand Fantasy on Porgy and Bess: XI. Oh Lawd, I'm on My WayEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 3, LizaEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 5, Somebody Loves MeEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 7, The Man I LoveEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 4, Embraceable YouEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 2, Oh, Lady, Be Good!Earl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 1, I Got RhythmEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin: No. 6, Fascinating RhythmEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Improvisation on Someone to Watch Over Me: ThemeEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Improvisation on Someone to Watch Over Me: Variation I. BarcarolleEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Improvisation on Someone to Watch Over Me: Variation II. Brazilian DanceEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Improvisation on Someone to Watch Over Me: Variation III. TangoEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Piano Sonata: I. March. AllegroEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Piano Sonata: II. AdagioEarl Wild, Xiayin Wang
Piano Sonata: III. Toccata (à la Ricky Martin)Earl Wild, Xiayin Wang