Customer Reviews

Heller: Preludes Opp. 81 And 150

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Stephen Heller (1813-1888). Who?

Friend of Berlioz, championed by Schumann (who called him a real "romantic" and even allowed him into the Society of the Davidsbundlerites), admired by his contemporaries, etc., his music published and played throughout England and Europe, etc., you get the general idea.... and, yet, virtually unknown today, with the exception of a handful (maybe even less than this) of available CDs, of which this is one.

Heller wrote exclusively for the piano, his best compositions being short works (Preludes) or genre pieces ("Solitary Rambles," Op. 78 and "Valses Reveries," Op. 122), all uncomplicated, tuneful, moody, passionate and exceptionally accessible. Heller's originality, lyricism and moodiness--- his unique voice--- is particularly typified in the ultimate distillation of the Preludes. Sample, for instance, the preludes from Op. 81 (published in 1853): the gorgeous No. 13 ("Reverie"), beautiful No. 15 ("Berceuse") or the touching No. 17 ("Chanson de mai"). Or dip into the gems of Op. 150 (published in 1879-- his last series of such works): the No. 4 ("Lento"), No. 6 ("Con grazia") or the exquisite No. 11 ("Andantino").

Heller's Preludes, although not Chopin, are, however, equally inventive, diverse, melodic and endlessly creative--- like nothing you may have ever heard before--- and offer an abundance of mood, emotion, texture, pleasure. These forty-four Preludes will hold you spellbound from beginning to end.

Jean Martin is a Heller advocate of the most suitable kind and completely immerses himself in the composer's music; a pianist of lesser kinship or sensitivity would be a disaster. The sound on this Marco Polo CD is exemplary, as well.

[Running time: 70:17]