Liszt: Piano Sonatas

Advantages: Excellent selection and performance of piano works by Frank Bridge
Disadvantages: A few pieces are not very interesting

...Frank Bridge was an early twentieth century English composer. His works are not widely known, but are played increasingly, and more recordings are becoming available. Some of his later works, such as his piano sonata, were influenced by Scriabin. This CD is the second of three, and covers a wide range of styles, but mostly in his earlier style. Most of the pieces on this CD are fairly easy to listen to, and can be enjoyed by the majority of classical music lovers. The opening piece, Etude Rhapsodique, is an etude appropriately played by Jacobs, in the grand manner (of Liszt and other nineteenth century virtuosi), full of late nineteenth century panache, but with Bridge's own distinctive voice. The second piece, Berceuse, is played beautifully, a gentle piece as the name would suggest (a lullaby) but again with Bridge's own... Read review

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Advantages: Wide range of little-know music played live by world-class pianists
Disadvantages: None for those who enjoy classical Piano Solo music

...Danacord). Sauer is better known as an editor of piano works by Liszt, but he wrote sonatas, a large number of concert studies, and other works in a fairly conservative style, showing little influence of Liszt. Here Marshev plays two concert studies with a beautiful light wispy touch, amply fulfilling the titles of the works, "Sighing Breezes" and "Rustling Leaves". Marshev ends with an encore by Rodion Shchedrin, "A la Albeniz". Shchedrin is a twentieth century Russian composer whose music is enjoyable to listen to, and does not have the harshness and angularity of other modern composers, such as some works by Prokofiev. A la Albeniz is a lively, rhythmic work, written in homage to the Spanish composer, Isaac Albeniz. Marshev plays this work with verve, bringing out the Spanish melodies and rhythms with a Russian tinge. Piers Lane... Read review

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Advantages: Superb Finnish Powermetal
Disadvantages: Not quite as vocally sound as their newer efforts

...The first album from modern-day Powermetal legends Sonata Arctica is an absolutely stunning debut step into the musical world. If you're a fan of the genre of metal yet haven't heard any of their music, they could be classed as a modern version of Iron Maiden, though more technical, and with a far superior set of songs. Hailing from Finland, the European country with the reputation for producing the best Powermetal sounds, they are friends and contemporaries with such musical luminaries as Nightwish and Stratovarius. Though they play the same style as these bands, they do so on this album with a youthful exhuberance not matched by the aforementioned artists. The music is laced with a rare energy, and Sonata Arctica also appear to be able to create quality riffs for fun, just check out Kingdom for a Heart and My Land... Read review

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