Alexandre Tansman: 24 Intermezzi; Petite Suite (2010)

Alexandre Tansman was a mid-20th century composer who stuck to his own personal composition style -- essentially a neo-classical one -- and remained a generally admired talent during his life even when other composers, including those he respected, such as Stravinsky, turned increasingly to serialism. After his death, however, his reputation faded, and his music is often neglected except for several works for guitar. On this 2010 album, Eliane Reyes gives listeners a chance to hear his piano miniatures, a form in which he ... Read More

Alexandre Tansman was a mid-20th century composer who stuck to his own personal composition style -- essentially a neo-classical one -- and remained a generally admired talent during his life even when other composers, including those he respected, such as Stravinsky, turned increasingly to serialism. After his death, however, his reputation faded, and his music is often neglected except for several works for guitar. On this 2010 album, Eliane Reyes gives listeners a chance to hear his piano miniatures, a form in which he worked his entire career. The bulk of the recording is devoted to his cycle of 24 Intermezzi, set out in four books. The one characteristic that is shared by nearly all the intermezzi is Tansman's use of tonality and harmony, wandering between keys and modes in a way that is very reminiscent of Scriabin's music. The Intermezzo No. 21, which Tansman reused in a piano sonata, actually also shares other traits with Scriabin's Vers la flamme. Many of the intermezzi are melancholy and/or... Read Less