Leo Ornstein: Complete Works for Cello and Piano

Leo Ornstein: Complete Works for Cello and Piano

Although best known for a collection of radical early works, throughout his life Leo Ornstein (1893-2001) wrote in diverse styles. Such stylistic eclecticism confounded his listeners, which, in turn, may explain why he chose to retire from the concert stage in order to follow his muse away from public pressure and scrutiny. Ornstein's music blends lyricism, exotic atmospheres, innovative tone clusters, and dramatic rhythmic drive, greatly influenced by Debussy, Scriabin, and Eastern European Jewish chant. While many recordings exist of the works for cello and piano by better known composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, those of many other historical figures like Ornstein are only now being given the recognition they deserve. Given the character, drama, and strength of Ornstein's music, a recording of the collected cello works is long overdue. Ornstein himself considered these works to be among his most significant. In a conversation with Vivian Perlis he remarked, "Some day, if you get a chance, you really ought to study those Six Preludes for Cello and Piano. I believe, frankly, that it's probably one of the best pieces of music that I've written, one of the soundest. I think if any music is going to last, I have a feeling that may be it." Of the many works he composed for cello and piano, surprisingly, only the first Cello Sonata from 1919 and the Six Preludes from 1930 have ever been recorded but neither is currently available on CD. This is the first time that all of these works appear together on CD.
Country USA
Manufacturer New World Records
Binding Audio CD
ReleaseDate 2007-01-02
UnitCount 1
Format Import
UPCs 093228065524
EANs 0093228065524

Country	USA
Manufacturer	New World Records
Binding	Audio CD
ReleaseDate	2007-01-02
UnitCount	1
Format	Import
UPCs	093228065524
EANs	0093228065524

Leo Ornstein: Complete Works for Cello and Piano

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