Thomas Larcher: What Becomes

"Thomas Larcher: What Becomes" is a captivating journey through the composer's unique musical landscape, released on April 21, 2014, by harmonia mundi. This album is a testament to Thomas Larcher's innovative approach to composition, blending contemplative harmonies with groundbreaking performance techniques.

The album features three distinct works for piano: "Smart Dust" (2005), "Poems" (1975-2010), and "What Becomes" (2009), along with the 20-minute song cycle "A Padmore Cycle." Each piece showcases Larcher's ability to create a sound world that is both original and deeply engaging.

"Smart Dust" opens the album with two contrasting movements, "Very slow" and "Very fast," setting the stage for the diverse musical experiences that follow. "Poems" is a collection of twelve piano pieces, each with its own unique character, from the melancholic "Sad yellow whale" to the playful "Don't step on the Regenwurm!"

The centerpiece of the album is "A Padmore Cycle," a song cycle written for and performed by the renowned tenor Mark Padmore. This work is a poignant exploration of themes such as longing, memory, and the passage of time. The cycle is performed with sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the deep collaboration between Larcher and Padmore.

The final work on the album, "What Becomes," is a multi-movement piece that further explores Larcher's fascination with the unadorned note and spacious, uncrowded musical circumstances. The album concludes with a sense of resolution and introspection, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.

Throughout the album, pianist Tamara Stefanovich delivers a stunning performance, proving her standing as one of the leading pianists of her time. Her technical prowess and interpretive depth bring Larcher's compositions to life, making this album a standout in the contemporary classical repertoire. With a duration of approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, "What Becomes" is a rich and rewarding listening experience that showcases the best of Thomas Larcher's compositional voice.