Mari Kodama celebrates the Bruckner bicentenary year with a collection of piano works, most of which are rarely heard. While some of them, such as the Fantasie, Erinnerung and Stille Betrachtung, reveal the serious symphonist and church composer, the many dances included on this album illuminate a lighter side of the composer. In general, hearing his approach to the piano enriches our understanding of this enigmatic genius. As much of the material was taken from study sketch books, these pieces allow us a look into the workshop of this ever-searching spirit. To Kodama, the Bruckner that appears from his works is in many ways more interesting than the various, cliche-ridden accounts of his life and character. Instead, Kodama aims to paint a nuanced Bruckner portrait, gaining in depth thanks to the original selection and perspective. Mari Kodama is one of the most extraordinary pianists of our age, and has an impressive Pentatone discography, featuring Beethoven's complete piano sonatas (2003-2014), piano concertos of Loewe and Chopin (2003), Tchaikovsky Ballet Suites for Piano Duo (2016), de Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain (2017), Martinu's Concerto for Two Pianos (2018), Kaleidoscope, Beethoven Transcriptions and MON AMI Mon amour (both 2020), New Paths (2022) and Mozart & Poulenc Double Concertos (2024).

Tracklist:

Piano Sonata in G Minor, WAB 243~First movement (Entwurf)
KlavierstÃ¼ck in E-Flat Major, WAB 119
Fantasie in D Minor
Stille Betrachtung an einem Herbstabend, WAB 123
Minuet ; Trio in G Major, WAB 220
Etude in G Major, WAB 214
Fantasie in G Major, WAB 118
Theme and Variations No. 5, WAB 223
2 Waltzes, WAB 224~Waltz No. 2 in E-Flat Major
Polkas (4) in C Major, WAB 221~Polka in C Major
Andante in E-Flat Major, WAB deest 3
Chromatic Etude in F Major, WAB 212
Mazurka in A Minor, WAB 218
SteiermÃ¤rker in G Major, WAB 122
2 Waltzes, WAB 224~Waltz No. 1, in C Major
Erinnerung, WAB 117
4 Lancier Quadrille in C Major, WAB 120~No. 1, Eingang
4 Lancier Quadrille in C Major, WAB 120~No. 2, Allegro
4 Lancier Quadrille in C Major, WAB 120~No. 3, Allegro
4 Lancier Quadrille in C Major, WAB 120~No. 4, Allegro

UPC: 8717306262248
Label: Pentatone
Release Date: 11.1.24
Format: CD

Bruckner / Kodama - Bruckner: Piano Works (CD)