Conus / Powell Piano Music CD

Georgiy Eduardovich Conus (1862-1933) is one of the astonishing number of gifted Russian composer-pianists who helped shape what is known as the 'Silver Age' of Russian music, but whose achievements have since been obscured by the music of Rachmaninov and others. This first-ever recording of his piano music reveals a composer with his roots in Tchaikovsky, a harmonic sophistication akin to Skriabin's and an emotional range that stretches from an easy-going charm to dramatic and powerful keyboard virtuosity. Jonathan Powell has established a reputation as one of the most fearless pianists currently active, spending his concert seasons touring blockbuster piano works. In the past decade he has presented the cycle of Scriabin's ten sonatas in single concerts, Messiaen's 'Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jesus,' Albeniz's 'Iberia,' Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier' Sonata, Reger's Bach Variations, and more. This is his sixth recording for Toccata Classics.