• Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian composer who revolutionized the world of classical music with his innovative and groundbreaking works. Especially famous became his ballets written for Les Ballets Russes, of which Le Sacre du Printemps caused a scandal because of its savage, brutal and overtly sensuous character.
• Stravinsky's piano works were notable for their departure from traditional musical norms. He utilized unconventional harmonies and rhythm patterns, and often incorporated elements of folk music and jazz into his pieces.
• The Piano Sonata and Serenade in A may be labeled as Neo-classical, using traditional forms infused with a new tonal language. The Piano Rag Music, Tango and Circus Polka (original title: Circus Polka: For a Young Elephant) are delicious examples of “light” entertainment music, spiced up with syncopated rhythms and “wrong” notes.
• Emanuele Delucchi is one of the most remarkable pianists of his generation. He has the technique and style to master the most difficult pieces with ease, logic and elegance. He made a name with his recordings for Piano Classics of the insanely difficult Chopin Studies by Godowsky, of which the Gramophone wrote: “Its palette of warm colors remained intact but gained a more incisive attack, allowing Delucchi’s voicing and extraordinary digital facility to be heard at its best…’. “Delucchi is in a class of his own”, Jed Distler of Classicstoday.com wrote: “9/9: every inch a viable contender to the reference”. He recently recorded the 24 Preludes and Fugues by Carl Czerny.
