Credits:

Strauss / Siegel / Dobner

Description:

This is the second collection of piano works by Palmgren, a Finnish composer active in the first half of the 20th century. He was greatly impressed by the performances of Ferruccio Busoni, who had shown great talent since his boyhood and often visited Finland, and entered the Helsinki Conservatory in 1895 to further his studies. He then studied in Berlin and took lessons from Busoni in Weimar, where he gained a foothold as a performer and composer, and eventually became active as a pianist and composer. This second collection includes the "24 Preludes," one of his most famous works, as well as smaller pieces written from 1899 to the early 1900s and the "3 Preludes" written in 1927-28. The "24 Preludes" are a mixture of titled and untitled works, and are full of experimental elements such as bold dissonances and percussive piano treatment, as well as extensive use of folk song-like melodies. The "Three Preludes" is a unique work that incorporates elements of jazz, which was popular in the United States, where he had stayed until the previous year.Other world premiere recordings of Palmgren's diverse style are also available. Jouni Somelo is one of the most active pianists in contemporary Finland. With a wide repertoire, he has given more than 3,100 concerts in many countries around the world. Naxos Japan