Customer Reviews

Beach: Under the Stars

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beach is a talent of no small measure when it comes to piano music, and Polk a more than worthy advocate.

The opening Valse-Caprice, Op. 4 is delightful: piquant with a hint of melancholy, as is The Fair Hills of Eire, Op. 91, and Les Reves de Columbine, Op. 65, works comprised of thoroughly enjoyable, intimate miniatures. Especially enthralling, though, are the two pieces of Op. 92 ("The Hermit Thrush At Eve" and "The Hermit Thrush At Morn"). These solitary, mournful works, which Beach actually composed using precise birdsong--- marvelously!--- are haunting and unforgettable. Overtly enterprising are Beach's attempts at the larger spectrum, such as the Ballade, Op. 6 and her Prelude and Fugue, Op. 81. Perhaps there is too much fiery display, with little actual substance; but the pieces, though, are still engaging.

Polk shows herself to be a pianist of imagination, fine touch and a genuine kinship. Beautiful sound matches her beautiful performance.

[Running time: 67:03]

Recently, I discovered a score for one of Beach's two hermit thrush pieces at the Dartmouth College Bookstore. Since I am from Vermont, and the hermit thrush is the Vermont state bird, I was more than intrigued by this piece: "A Hermit Thrush at Morn." I was amazed to find how modern this piece sounded, at least for the day in which it was written. Parts of it were based on the Wagnerian style so common in late nineteenth century music, but there was a feel about this, as though the bird whose song she had copied had unwittingly dragged her into the modern era. While I would not avoid listening to Beach's more substantial works on this CD, such as the stodgy "Prelude and Fugue, op. 81," I find Beach is more interesting in her shorter pieces which are full of fun and good humor. You should also check out the last CD in this set, FIRE-FLIES.

What a great buy. Perfect for relaxing! A great selection! Buy it now. Joanne is one of the most talented Pianists of our time!