Search - Various :: American Piano Sonatas Vol.2

Magnificent reading of Ives' Piano Sonata No. 1

millionrainbows | 05/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charles Ives: Sonata No. 1 for Piano; Peter Lawson, piano. This CD is part of EMI/Virgin's "American Classics" series, which I highly recommend at only $11.99.



This is a magnificent reading of Charles Ives' lesser-known first piano sonata. A good recording, too. The dissonant muddiness encountered in Ives' piano works is overshadowed by the at times violent dynamics, reminiscent of Boulez' younger, more violent impetuousness; as well as a good, brilliant-sounding piano, recorded well, which does not succumb to clusters of notes. I gladly submitted to the 39-minute onslaught. It was not all pain, though; several interludes of a dreamy impressionism also assert themselves, as when "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" drifts by, morphing through three keys. "In the Inn" from the Second Orchestral Set is quoted verbatim, also, with the jerky, complex ragtime rhythmic motoring forward.



I'd never heard of Peter Lawson before this. Apparently British, he has a way of playing the bass figurations which really helps define and give macro-structure to the often thick, dissonant clusters of notes Ives heaves onto us. "Stand up and use your ears like a man!" as Ives said, and crank up the volume on this too-oft overlooked gem."