Celebrated Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge embarks on an exciting project: four releases inspired by the Greek concept of the four elements, Water, Fire, Air, Earth. Many composers have been drawn to the properties of these elements when seeking inspiration for their music, but Kosuge's theme goes deeper, dating back to her successful Beethoven cycle: "When you understand that Shakespeare's plays, read ardently by Beethoven, refer to Greek mythology, or that Beethoven himself composed some works based on the Prometheus myth, you would know that an artist who is searching for human nature would surely look to Greek mythology or philosophy..." In Water, Yu Kosuge interprets a rich array of repertoire, from Liszt and Wagner to acclaimed contemporary composer Dai Fujikura. The 'barcarolle' takes it's rocking rhythms from the motion of a boat: we hear examples by Chopin and FaurÃ©, as well as Venetian Gondola 'Songs Without Words' by Mendelssohn.

Tracklist:

Songs Without Words, Book 2, Op. 30: No. 6 In F-Sharp Minor, Mwv U 110 "Venetianisches Gondellied"
Barcarolle No. 5 In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 66
Songs Without Words, Book 5, Op. 62: No. 5 In A Minor, Mwv U 151 "Venetianisches Gondellied"
Barcarolle No. 10 In A Minor, Op. 104 No. 2
Songs Without Words, Book 1, Op. 19b: No. 6 In G Minor, Mwv U 78 "Venetianisches Gondellied"
Barcarolle No. 11 In G Minor, Op. 105
Jeux D'eau, M. 30
Waves
Barcarolle In F-Sharp Major, Op. 60
Rain Tree Sketch
Rain Tree Sketch II "In Memoriam Olivier Messiaen"
Années De Pèlerinage III, S. 163: No. 4, Les Jeux D'eaux À La Villa D'este
Ballade No. 2 In B Minor, S. 171
Isoldes Liebestod, S. 447 (After R. Wagner)

UPC: 5060189560929
Label: Orchid Classics
Release Date: 11.16.18
Format: CD

Chopin / Kosuge - Four Elements 1 (CD)