Ornstein: Piano Music Vol. 2

Kharitonov, Arsentiy

TOCC 0167

In his younger years, Leo Ornstein (1893? -- 2002)gained notoriety for his iconoclastic, futuristic compositions and for his virtuoso, no-holds-barred performances on the piano. Beginning in the 1920s, Ornstein fell into obscurity, but he was discovered in the later years of a long life. Born in Russia, Ornstein was a child prodigy who came to the United States at the age of 13 with his family to escape the pogroms. He continued to compose until well into old age. Much of his music remains to be discovered. Hamelin, Jamie Weber, and Susan Cahill have recorded CDs of Ornstein's piano music. Ornstein's piano music should receive increased recognition as a result of what will be a multi-CD series by the Russian pianist, Arsentiy Kharitonov. This CD is the second of two that Kharitonov has released to date on Tocatta Classics, a London CD company founded expressly to record music by unjustly neglected composers. After studying at the St. Petersburg Conservatoir, Kharitonov won prizes in several international competitions, including the 1991 Sergei Rachmaninov Competition in Russia. He has a virtuosic, large-scaled romantic technique which is essential for playing Ornstein's difficult scores.

CD

Toccata Classics

29.08.2013

5060113441676

American Record Guide: 'Critic’s Choice' (2015)