Customer Reviews

Piano Works

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4 star:		(2)
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Technically brilliant, but the disc was actually recorded in 1956, and as a result the sound quality is somewhat tinny.

I received the music book "Piano Music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk" (Dover, Richard Jackson, ed. -- highly recommended!) for my birthday, and needed a CD that let me know what the songs should sound like. (I hate to count, and have a lousy sense of rhythm.) This CD contained more of the songs in the book than any other I could find.

For a general introduction to all periods of Gottschalk's piano music, I'd suggest "Selected Piano Music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk" by Lambert Orkis (Smithsonian Collection of Recordings, 1988). The Orkis disc was recorded in 1982, and the sound quality is excellent. Orkis plays a Chickering grand piano of the sort that Gottschalk hauled around with him on tour, and the pieces shine brilliantly when played on the instrument for which they were written.

Charming piano solos. Portents of Ragtime and Copeland that will come in the future. Pieces use many piano skills not usually played in such a clear way. (Would be good recital pieces for moderately advanced piano students.) Just well done and lots of fun for someone who thinks the piano is special all by itself. Also, an eye-opener for those who listen for familiar folk melodies in unfamiliar style.

Fast and good service. The price for the item as very reasonable and quality was very good. Will buy from vendor again.