This remarkable collection of music for solo piano takes one short-form piece (ranging in length from just under half a minute to just over five) by each of 50 composers, forming a cross-section of piano music spanning the centuries from Rameau, born in 1683, to Alessandro Lucchetti, born in 1958. That a listener can make this astounding journey through piano music from the Baroque to the Contemporary in the space of two compact discs is truly a "shortcut" through the ages - but it misses nothing along the way. The programme is jam-packed with detail and character in it's compact space. Ballista demonstrates how each composer is able to thoroughly express his style in a handful of bars, even if it means he must be incredibly versatile as a performer, continually adapting and readapting himself to the new territory of each musical microcosm. As he rightly points out, the brevity of these pieces means they are seldom programmed in recitals, such that even well-known composers are represented here by music that is likely to be a revelation to the listener. Guiding us through the twists and turns of this miniature labyrinth, Ballista offers a nine-word epigram to introduce each piece, compact as a haiku, they are often amusing, yet invariably thought-provoking.

Tracklist:

Suite In G Major: IV. La Poule
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, Bwv 147
Allegretto In G Major, Hob.VII:10
Marche Funèbre Del Sig.R Maestro Contrapunto In C Minor, K. 453a
Bagatelle In C Major, Woo 54 "Lustig-Traurig"
Waltz In G Major, D.844
Bear Dance, Op. 35
Prélude From Péchés De Vieillesse, Vol. XIII Musique Anodine
Theme In E-Flat Major, Rsw: Nh:F39
Prélude In A-Flat Major, B.86
Sarabande In A Minor Woo 5/1
Bagatelle Sans Tonalite, S.216a
Waltz In F Major
Albumblatt
Le Carnaval Des Animaux: XIII. Le Cygnet
Marche Funèbre D'une Marionette, Cg 583
10 Pièces De Genre, Op. 10: V. Mélodie
Ballabile
Berceuse: Andante Mosso From 18 Morceaux, Op. 87
8 Pièces Brèves, Op. 84: VII. Allégresse
Lyric Pieces, Op. 12: I. Arietta
Scènes Bohémiennes: IV. Danse Bohémienne
Triakontameron: XI. Alt Wien
3 Pieces, Op. 45: III. Poème Fantasque
El Sombrero De Tres Picos: V. Danza Del Molinero
D'un Cahier D'esquisses. Très Lent
Saudades Do Brasil, Op. 67: V. Ipanema
Promenade In C Major
Prélude, M.65
Piano-Rag-Music
Foglio D'album In B-Flat Major, Sc 81
Mouvement Perpétuel No. 1, Fp 14
Suite Für Klavier, Op. 26: V. Ragtime
The Love For Three Oranges, Op. 33b: III. March
Préludes: III. Le Nombre Léger
Klavierstück III
III. Hommage À Domenico Scarlatti
Composition 1960 #7
Come Io Passo L'estate: VI. La Fontanella Di Ganna
Intermission 6
A Prole Do Bebê, Book I: VII. O Polichinelo
Caro Babbo
Allegro Con Spirito
Totem Ancestor For Prepared Piano
Erdenklavier
China Gates
Un Microritratto
Anamorfosi
The Grey Veil
Makrokosmos, Vol. II: VII. Tora! Tora! Tora!

UPC: 5028421956152
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 12.11.20
Format: CD

Short Cuts / Various 2pk - Short Cuts (CD)