Matthews / Mikkola / Orchestra Nova / Vass Music For Piano CD

In his piano music, as in his symphonies and string quartets, the English composer David Matthews (b. 1943) marries the idiom of classical tradition with that of his own day. His 2009 Piano Concerto, Mozartian in spirit, contains both a tango and a blues; his Piano Sonata of 1989 includes jazz elements, and his 1997 Variations feature both further blues and a homage to Beethoven. The mood of the music on this CD ranges from contemplative introspection to fiery, rhythmic energy. David Matthews describes the Finnish pianist Laura Mikkola as 'a marvelous exponent of my music'. This disc is released to mark David Matthews' 70th birthday in March.

1. Con Moto Moderato - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 2. Tango: Tempo Di Tango Energico - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 3. Elegy: Largo E Mesto - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 4. Allegro Con Spirito - Laura Mikkola/Orchestra Nova 5. Allegro Molto E Ritmico 6. Andante 7. Allegro 8. Theme: Allegro 9. Var. 1: L'istesso Tempo 10. Var. 2: Poco Pi? Sostenuto 11. Var. 3: Vivace E Leggiero 12. Var. 4: Un Poco Solenne 13. Var. 5: Presto Leggiero 14. Var. 6: Allegro Moderato 15. Var. 7: Allegro Drammatico 16. Var. 8: Scherzando 17. Var. 9: Molto Vivace 18. Var. 10: Scorrevole 19. Var. 11: Presto Ludovicioso 20. Var. 12: Allegro 21. Var. 13: Allegro Di Galoppo 22. Var. 14: L'istesso Tempo 23. Var. 15: Con Molta Anima 24. Var. 16: Slow Blues 25. Var. 17: Allegretto Con Precisione 26. Var. 18: Andante Appassionato 27. Var. 19: Poco Maestoso 28. Var. 20: Moderate Blues 29. Var. 21: Allegro 30. Var. 22: Lento E Mesto 31. Var. 23: Quasi Recitativo, Con Licenza 32. Var. 24: Andantino Semplice 33. With Steady, Calm Movement 34. Esultante 35. Tempo Di Tango