The fascinating exploration of the piano's possibilities by Morton Feldman and George Crumb deserves special attention. This album contains three early Feldman compositions as well as his last solo piano work. Crumb's contributions expand his four-part composition for various piano ensembles. While Feldman's works show the influence of his friends from the New York School of Painting, Crumb impresses with his refined sense of tone color.
Feldman's "Intermission 5," composed in 1952, demonstrates his extraordinary sensitivity to tonal nuances. Noble Alistair examines the structure of this piece in minute detail. In contrast, Crumb's "Processional" from 1983 presents a harmonic richness encompassing chromatic, modal, and whole-tone elements.
Feldman's "Piano Piece 1952" captivates with its meticulous conception and exceptional sensitivity to the piano. In "Extensions 3," the composer subtly explores the art of repetition. Crumb's "Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979" uses sophisticated techniques to create bell-like sounds and exotic melodies inspired by Paduan frescoes.
In his late work "Palais de Mari" (1986), Feldman transforms his fascination with oriental carpet patterns into music. Imperfect symmetry and subtle variations characterize this masterful composition, which Feldman dedicated to the artist Francesco Clemente.