Philip Martin has arrived at his fifth disc of the Hyperion Gottschalk piano music series, a very delightful set of CD's full of tuneful and relaxing pieces.
None of the works on this CD last more than seven minutes excepting the final 'La chasse du jeune Henri', a Morceau de concert that is Gottschalk's only serious attempt at a longish symphonic piece that comes across quite well. This composer is best at the shorter genre pieces such as 'Sospiro', 'Marguerite' and 'Orfa', all very descriptive and canny. Martin delves through each piece with gusto and panache, bringing out the Latin flavours that are so essential to Gottschalk's music.
The whole collection is a delightful listen on a late autumn evening when the fresh frivolity of the tunes get through to one's soul like no other. Hyperion's excellent recording adds to the pleasure and enjoyment of the whole enterprise.
Copyright © 2001, Gerald Fenech