Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Claude Baker's "Piano Concerto 'From Noon to Starry Night' & Aus Schwanengesang," a live recording that showcases the composer's evocative and expressive musical language. Released in 2017 under the Naxos label, this album is a testament to Baker's ability to blend lyrical melodies with intricate structures, creating a sound that is both accessible and intellectually stimulating.
The album opens with the five-movement Piano Concerto "From Noon to Starry Night," a work dedicated to various individuals, as indicated by the subtitles of each movement. The concerto is a journey through different moods and landscapes, from the rhythmic intensity of "Drum Taps" to the serene beauty of "Silent Sun" and the playful energy of "Dalliance." The final movement, "Ecstatic Ghost," is a tour de force that brings the concerto to a thrilling conclusion.
The second half of the album features "Aus Schwanengesang," a song cycle based on poems by Heinrich Heine. Performed with sensitivity and nuance, these songs explore themes of love, loss, and longing, with the final song, "Der Atlas," offering a powerful and poignant conclusion to the cycle.
Throughout the album, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mario Varga, provides a rich and vibrant accompaniment, while pianist Marc-André Hamelin delivers a virtuosic and deeply expressive performance. With a total duration of 49 minutes, this album is a compelling introduction to the music of Claude Baker, one of the most important American composers of his generation.
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