Customer Reviews

Makrokosmos Vol. 1 & 2: 24 Fantasy Pieces after the Zodiac for Amplified Piano

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I have listened to all of the major Makrokosmos recordings including the David Burge and Christiane Mathe version... I thought I knew this music! Laurie Hudicek is outrageous!! I mean, this is a flat out mind-numbing performance that runs finely scribed circles around those other versions. I must also mention the sound quality; normally this is something that I don't think about unless it is bad. On the contrary, this recording has the most amazing piano sound that I have heard short of the real thing. What an excellent find.

I did not find this recording very inspiring. George Crumb is an excellent composer, and the Makrokosmos cycles are excellent. However, as a pianist, I found that this recording is not really true to the music itself. The performer ignores some of Crumb's essential markings that sometimes make the pieces special. I have to admit that this recording is nearly alone in the world, so to have this recording is a blessing. It could be better, though.