Our thoughts often turn to vacation travel during the summer, and travel is at the center of two recent releases by pianists who reflect on their national and international journeys through music.
Sir Stephen Hough conveys his years of travel as a touring concert pianist with his release, Piano Postcards, an endearing and thoughtful souvenir of the music he encountered on his travels through Europe, Asia and beyond. Hough is an accomplished composer as well as a pianist -- his 2024 performance at Phillips Music featured his inventive String Quartet #1 -- so that several of the selections on this musical travelogue are his own arrangements of beloved songs and melodies. Highlights include his piano arrangements of the soundtrack from Mary Poppins (including “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”); two charming and sentimental songs by the American songwriting team of Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez; Spanish dances of Enrique Granados; and an aptly named "Spring Breeze" by Deng-Yu Hsien that caresses us in a soft summer breeze. There are also piano pieces by Rachmaninoff and Cecile Chaminade. Hough treats us with his virtuosic tone, affectionate sensibilities and facile technique.
In the spirit of American 250 celebrations, pianist Lara Downes has released Hold These Truths, a survey of American music inspired by her two-year journey through the United States. From Maine to California, Downes connected with Americans by sharing stories and listening to their triumphs and hopes. Through these experiences, she became reacquainted with America’s original musical ideas. This release represents the American soul with music past and present, from American songs and spirituals to works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Stephen Foster, through newer musical concepts of Carlos Simon and Christopher Tin, to popular expressions of Willie Nelson and jazz great Oscar Peterson. Highlighting the pieces are words and perspectives of Americans she met during her travels. Downes is joined by musician friends on some tracks, bringing to life with cheer, sentimentality and tenderness the sounds of our national identity. Gramophone Magazine called this release, "A collection of pieces that evoke pathos as well as patriotism . . . syncopated sniping melts into a tremendous peace -- an optimistic emblem for the U.S. itself."
We might consider this as armchair travel, a way to experience cultures and adventure through the power of music.
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