A unique collection of American romantic piano music, written largely in the last third of the 19th century, by Foote, Whiting, Paine, Chadwick and Nevin. In a period where in Europe piano music was in the hands of towering virtuosos like Liszt, Anton Rubinstein and later Rachmaninoff, the American scene was notably less tormented, focusing on tone painting idyllic landscapes, rural scenes and charming dance forms. These genre pieces share the same delightful characteristics as their European pendants by Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Grieg, Gade, Sinding and others. Young pianist Artem Belogurov (born in Latvia, grew up in Odessa/Ukraine and now lives in Boston) is a former student of Peter Serkin. For this recording he plays a beautiful period instrument, a 1873 Chickering piano. Chickering was one of the most respected and successful piano builders of the 19th century; Hans von BÃ¼low premiered Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto in Boston on a Chickering, and Franz Liszt owned two of their instruments. The booklet contains extensive liner notes on the music and composers, an artist biography and information and photos of the instrument.

Tracklist:

Suite No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: I. Prelude
Suite No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: II. Fugue
Suite No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: III. Romance
Suite No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: IV. Capriccio
Bagatelles For The Piano: I. Caprice
Bagatelles For The Piano: II. Humoreske
Bagatelles For The Piano: III. Bagatelle
Bagatelles For The Piano: IV. Idylle
Three Piano Pieces, Op. 41: III. Fuga Giocosa
In The Country, Op. 26: I. Woodnotes
In The Country, Op. 26: II. Wayside Flowers
In The Country, Op. 26: IV. The Shepherd's Lament
In The Country, Op. 26: V. Village Dance
In The Country, Op. 26: VII. The Mill
In The Country, Op. 26: X. Welcome Home
Five Pieces: II. Dans Le Canot (Baracolle)
Five Pieces: V. Les Grenouilles (Humoresque)
Water Scenes, Op. 13: I. Dragon Fly
Water Scenes, Op. 13: II. Ophelia
Water Scenes, Op. 13: III. Water Nymph
Water Scenes, Op. 13: IV. Narcissus
Water Scenes, Op. 13: V. Barcacolle
Rhapsody In E Minor, Op. 21

UPC: 5060385450154
Label: Piano Classics
Release Date: 2.24.15
Format: CD

Foote / Artem Belogurov - American Romantics the Boston Scene (CD)