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AVIE AV2678
American pianist Donald Berman, new music champion whose playing has for decades been recognized for its subtlety, power, and emotional depth, is featured in a new recording of Charles Ives' Piano Sonata No. 2 "Concord, Mass., 1840-1860" released today by AVIE (AV2678). Preceding the Concord Sonata on the new Avie release is The St.Gaudens ("Black March"). This recording is the realization of many years' editorial scrutiny and scholarship by Mr. Berman, who is also president and treasurer of the Charles Ives Society.
In the process of sorting through Ives' many notes and corrections to the Concord Sonata over the years, Berman came to the conclusion that parts of the first movement of the piece should be played differently than the accepted version heard on every performance and recording of the piece up till now. The editing adjustments Berman has made - including two pages of added material based on Ives' notes - result in a vastly different opening to the first movement, recorded for the first time ever on this Avie release, produced by Adam Abeshouse.
Initial critical response in Fanfare to Berman's
Concord Sonata recording:
"...masterful playing...the warmest Concord Sonata on disc...a beautiful performance. 5 stars." - Huntley Dent
"...from the very first note it is obvious we are in the hands of a master Ives interpreter...a thinking pianist with access to an ocean of emotional resources and a technique verging on the superhuman...a superb recording. 5 stars." - Colin Clarke
For more information:
New Notes in Concord Sonata reflect decades of scholarship
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