A new album of Blitzstein’s music for solo piano, performed by Leonard Lehrman, is due out from Toccata Classics (TOCC0438) 1 February 2019. The disc comprises twenty-seven tracks, many of them world premiere recordings, including Children’s Dances, The Guests, and selections from Cain.
The range of compositions showcases Blitzstein’s versatility and agility as a composer for the piano, from the larger show pieces such as the Piano Sonata, Scherzo: Bourgeois at Play, and Piano-Percussion Music, to smaller intimate works composed for family celebrations (Innocent Psalm – for the Bernstein Baby, Slow March – for Kit’s Wedding, Wedding Piece for Stephen & Joyce).
A CD release concert will be held at the Schott Music House in London, February 1 6:30 PM, with Lehrman at the piano performing selections from the album.
MARC BLITZSTEIN: PIANO MUSIC, 1918–63
- Waterfall: Barcarolle, Op. 4, No. 1 (1918)
- Prelude in C minor (1922)
- Valse (1923)
- Children’s Dances (1924)
- Svarga (1924–25): No. 4, Belly-Ache (‘Blues’)
- Percussion Music for the Piano (1928–29)
- Scherzo (1930)
- Piano Solo/Suite: extract (1933)
- Cain: ballet (three movements only)
- The Guests: ballet (1946–49)
- Innocent Psalm – for the Bernstein baby (1952)
- Slow March – for Kit’s Wedding (1953)
- Wedding Piece for Stephen & Joyce (1955)
- Lied (1963)
- Sonata for Piano (1927)
Leonard Lehrman, piano
TOCC0438
Available from Toccata Classics and all retailers 1 February 2019.