Special offer. Finnissy: The History of Photography in Sound
Ian Pace (piano)
You might think a piano cycle lasting more than five hours is asking too much. But when the music is as endlessly fascinating, engaging, challenging, puzzling, beautiful, thought-provoking and...
Special offer. Finnissy: The History of Photography in Sound
Ian Pace (piano)
Purchase product
You might think a piano cycle lasting more than five hours is asking too much. But when the music is as endlessly fascinating, engaging, challenging, puzzling, beautiful, thought-provoking and...
About
This is no less than a seminal and milestone recording in modern piano music. The awesome Michael Finnissy’s 'History of Photography in Sound', a five and a half hour epic of genius, was recorded in several sessions between 2004 and 2006.
This cycle is much more than just a musical representation of pioneer photographers – only one section directly relates to such: the title refers to 'photography in sound' - i.e. the representation in music of events, people, places, cultures, and above all, philosophies. It is the recording for which Métier have had more requests than any other, and in all fairness to composer and pianist, should find itself in every recommended list of contemporary music.
The 100 page booklet contains a detailed essay of doctorate standard by Ian Pace.
Contents and tracklist
Spotlight on this release
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Michael Finnissy at 80
17th Mar 2026
On his eightieth birthday, the English composer talks to our contemporary music guest-contributor about his student days at the Royal College of Music, drawing inspiration from country hedgerows, and why he's 'still amazed by Verdi'...
Awards and reviews
February 2014
You might think a piano cycle lasting more than five hours is asking too much. But when the music is as endlessly fascinating, engaging, challenging, puzzling, beautiful, thought-provoking and charming as Finnissy's, it is not a hardship...This is a magnificent achievement for both composer and performer.
January 2014
Finnissy keeps his cultural aperture forever wide-angled, ideas and sounds papped ferociously...Ian Pace is Finnissy's David Bailey, each note shaded to perfection, structures translucently and sharply lit, defining sonic images of our time.
14th January 2014
a major achievement and one that should appeal strongly to lovers of contemporary and piano music alike...The experience is as fulfilling as it is stimulating...Pace's own commitment and skills here go a long way towards making such fulfilment...Execution and presentation are as excellent as the music is compelling.
10th November 2013
Both composer and executant here are truly prodigious figures...It is hardly possible to comment significantly on such a phenomenon in a capsule review, but I heartily recommend this profoundly dedicated undertaking as a source of stimulus and as something to live with.
