Sorabji: Sequentia Cyclica

Powell, Jonathan

PCL 10206

Khaikosru Sorabji (1892-1988) is one of the most enigmatic and controversial 20th century composers. Largely self-taught he chose his own way, never fitting into any school or movement. His style is highly idiosyncratic, inspired by late-romantics like Busoni and Szymanowski. Characteristic for his piano music are the enormous proportions and textural density of his works, some of them lasting several hours in performance, taxing the performer and audience to the utmost. This new CD set presents the first recording of the Sequentia Cyclica Super Dies Irae, a massive work on the basis of the famous Dies Irae plainchant from the Requiem mass. It presents 27 variations, varying in length between a few minutes and more than one hour, in total over 8,5 hours long. It was written in 1948/49 and Sorabji regarded the work as “the climax and crown of his works for the piano and, in all probability, the last he will write”. It is impossible to describe the work in a few sentences, like all Sorabji’s works is has to be experienced in whole in order to come to terms with its vast implications and scope. The performance is a true tour de force by pianist Jonathan Powell, who performed it several times live. He is also the author of the lengthy and illuminating booklet essay.

CD

8.01.2020

5029365102063