J. B. Foerster: Dreams, Memories and Impressions - The complete music for solo piano / Patricia Goodson

Recommendation

Right from the opening track, Dreaming, by Josef Bohuslav Foerster, it amazes that this superb release from Brilliant Classics is the first time the composer's solo piano music is appearing on CD. J. B. Foerster (as he is often referred to) was a Czech composer, eighteen years the junior of Antonín Dvořák and a relative contemporary of Janáček, Novák, Fibich and Suk. Together with these composers, Foerster shared in the evolution of Czech music from 19th century nationalism to the avant garde of the early 20th century. American pianist and Prague resident Patricia Goodson performs beautifully on this set of Foerster's complete solo piano music. Titled Dreams, Memories and Impressions, this is a significant addition to the CD catalog and should not be overlooked.

This music was composed over a nearly sixty-year period, between 1885 and 1942. While there are certainly differences between the early and late works, these differences are relatively subtle and seem related to stylistic developments, not to the adoption of any especially different means of expression. Structured in traditional forms and harmony, his earlier pieces are mannered after late Classical and early Romantic models, recalling Schumann and Mendelssohn. In his middle and late works, forms are more rhapsodic and harmonies become softly chromatic, even quite close at times. Harmonies can progress for brief periods in unpredictable and interesting ways; however, they are always resolved in a manner that seems natural and restores the music's tonal center.

The samples in the sidebar for you to hear are movements one and two of Pages from my Diary, a relatively early work dating from 1890. Listen as melody and harmony meld in Foerster's charming and slightly melancholic music. Its gorgeous stuff - and seeing as you don't already own it, and that you can get the set of four CDs at HBDirect for under $20 - it's also an obvious acquisition.

Album Overview

“J.B. Foerster was born in this house on 30 December 1859 in order, through his music, to raise us to the heights of beauty.” Czech composer Josef Bohuslav Foerster was highly revered among his contemporaries. Foerster was active during the Czech National Revival, when the Czech art and culture was undergoing a true renaissance.

This collection comprises the composer’s complete solo piano music, which is characterised by fluid, lyrical melodic lines and unusual harmony. Each of these pieces was written as a dedication, gift or personal commission, showing the importance with which Foerester treated his family and friends.

The pieces are performed by renowned American pianist Patricia Goodson. Having lived in Prague since 1991, Goodson regularly wins praise all over the world for her interpretation of the Czech piano repertoire.

Source: Brilliant Classics

Josef Bohuslav Foerster, composer

Josef Bohuslav Foerster Foerster (30 December 1859 – 29 May 1951) was a Czech composer of classical music. Foerster produced numerous compositions. His music is not nationalistic in the sense of employing the idioms of Czech folk music. His work, words and music, is considered very subjective and personal, mystical and idealistic. Many of his works remember family members: the 2nd Symphony is dedicated to his sister Marie; his brother’s death led to the cantata Mortuis fratribus; his son is commemorated in the Piano Trio and the 5th Symphony; and his mother is a theme throughout his oeuvre. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Bohuslav_Foerster

Patricia Goodson, pianist

Patricia Goodson American pianist Patricia Goodson is active as a solo recitalist and chamber musician throughout Europe and North America. Her playing, praised by critics as ‘powerful and seductive’ and ‘breathtakingly virtuosic’ has been featured on radio (NPR, BBC, Czech Radio and others) and television (US, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic).  On December 1, 2013, Brilliant Classics released her 4-CD set of the first-ever commercial recording of the complete solo piano works of Czech composer Josef Bohuslav Foerster.  The project was partially supported by a successful and enthusiastically received Kickstarter proposal. http://www.patriciagoodson.com/web/bio.aspx

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