Ronald Stevenson: Piano Music
Murray McLachlan (piano)
McLachlan proves an impressive advocate, coping well with all the virtuoso demands, though the piano tone tends to be rather shallow and clangy. Not that that ever gets in the way of enjoyment...
Ronald Stevenson: Piano Music
Murray McLachlan (piano)
Purchase product
McLachlan proves an impressive advocate, coping well with all the virtuoso demands, though the piano tone tends to be rather shallow and clangy. Not that that ever gets in the way of enjoyment...
About
Ronald Stevenson is an extraordinary figure, a composer-pianist in the grand tradition who has always worked with the highest ideals and fierce integrity. Stevenson trained at the Royal Manchester College of Music and the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome before settling in Scotland from the 1950s to follow a remarkable artistic path which has in many ways continued the work of the great composerpianists of the past.
Apart from composing, presenting and writing, Stevenson has given countless piano recitals, concerto performances and broadcasts for the BBC over the years.
Much of Stevenson’s output stems directly from re-arrangement and transcription of pieces which have profoundly moved him as an artist, and this new series of three discs most certainly shows this. Almost all of the featured pieces are new to the catalogue.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
May 2013
McLachlan proves an impressive advocate, coping well with all the virtuoso demands, though the piano tone tends to be rather shallow and clangy. Not that that ever gets in the way of enjoyment of this important, groundbreaking issue celebrating the work of a composer too long neglected.
17th April 2013
I was extremely impressed by Murray McLachlan’s playing on these three superb discs. This complex, usually technically difficult - if not nearly impossible, at times - music demands a huge technique and considerable confidence to play and interpret successfully...This is an important release.
24th January 2013
Inevitably, perhaps, the quality of the music is variable – some of the pieces sound very much like written down improvisations – but it's never, ever dull, and its sheer imagination and energy are irrepressible. So too are McLachan's performances; occasionally one would like a little more tonal variety, but the dedication of his playing is without doubt immensely impressive.