Search - Kaikhosru Sorabji, Marc-Andre Hamelin :: Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji: Piano Sonata No. 1

Hamelin's take on Sorabji's 1st Sonata

Alscribji | Washington, D.C. | 11/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The kind of mechanism, endurance, and intellect needed to perform Sorabji is quite removed from most (if not all) of the traditional piano repertoire. Given the fact that Sorabji's music lacks much of a recorded legacy (although that is beginning to change, e.g., Jonathan Powell, Michael Habermann, Tellef Johnson, Dana Amato, and Hamelin) it remains difficult to get a feel for different interpretations of the same piece from various pianists. Nevertheless, Hamelin's performance of Sorabji's 1st piano sonata is riveting and spine-tingling. Hamelin is well known for performing and recording non-traditional piano music. This recording is a spectacular example of good piano music performed very well. The sonata is a tight 22 minute piece of music that is exotic and powerful. It might not be the best introduction to Sorabji if one's ears are use to the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Upon repeated listenings, however, Sorabji's 1st Sonata unfolds itself and reveals all of its intricacy and filigree that would later become a hallmark of Sorabji's most lush and sensuous piano music, e.g., Gulistan, La jardin parfume, and Djami. One wonders why Hamelin has not recorded more of the Sorabji repertoire (with acception to the Pastiche on the Hindu Merchant's Song from Sadko by Rimsy-Korsokov on the Hyperion release, The Composer-Pianist). Hamelin has composed a Preamble to an Imaginary Piano Symphony in hommage to Sorabji. One can only hope that someday he will record it. For something new and facsinating in piano music, Hamelin delivers an enduring performance of an amazing piece of little-known piano music."

One of K.S.S.'s most beautiful works!

John Carey | America | 06/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"All right, I will be completely honest and say right away that I generally am not a fan of Hamelin's playing. This album is no exception. He plays it much too fast. In fact, this is probably one of the least musical performances I've heard of his. However, his accuracy is outstanding, and the music is beautiful.



I discovered gradually that the music really does grow on you. The first time I heard it, I was not overly impressed, but the more I listened, the more I understood. It is really beautiful, but one has to be prepared to listen to it with a different ear than one would if one was listening to Mozart or Beethoven.



The CD comes with a small booklet with some very interesting information. I always enjoy that, so that alone gets this product a star from me. I like the music a lot, so, of course, I'll give it a higher rating, and overall, the performance is good, though not very interesting."