Bax / Wass Piano Sonatas 3 & 4 CD

The two sonatas are balanced on this release by a series of four short works presenting far more than the usual chip off the compositional workbench. Winter Waters is a somber miniature tone poem written during WW I and subtitled "Tragic Landscape." Bax keeps the violence churning beneath a murky, active surface, in a piece that would have made a very effective orchestral work if it were only less pianistic in development. Water Music is actually a selection from Bax's ballet, The Truth about the Russian Dancers, and easily the most memorable thing in a score more notable for it's ability to change mood and direction in a candle's flicker than sustain any musical idea.

1. Allegro Moderato 2. Lento Moderato 3. Allegro 4. Allegro Giusto 5. Allegro Quasi Andante/Very Delicate Throughout 6. Allegro 7. Water Music 8. Winter Waters 9. Country-Tune 10. O Dame Get Up and Bake Your Pies