Search - William Bland :: William Bland: Piano Sonatas

Best New Piano Release of 2007

C. P. Cooman | Cambridge, MA USA | 12/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is, in this reviewer's opinion, the best new piano release of 2007 and one of the finest classical discs of the year. American composer William Bland (b. 1947) performs two of his piano sonatas (taken from his ongoing large-scale piano sonata cycle) as well as some smaller piano miniatures. Bland's musical language draws upon the tonal and gestural constructions of the romantic piano tradition, which he combines with a keen melodic gift, inspired by both the great melodists of the past and American folk music.



The fourth sonata, a set of four "concert rags," transcends the expectations of the ragtime genre to create a concert work of beauty, substance, humor, and deep emotion. The fourteenth sonata consists of two movements (the second one loosely based on a theme of Massenet) followed by an extended set of variations on a theme of Handel. The miniatures are also character pieces of great appeal -- the gorgeous "Pastorale", in particular, will haunt you for days.



Strongly and urgently recommended. You will not be disappointed with this release."