American Ballads

Excursions, Opus 20 Samuel Barber, 1944
1. I. Un Poco Allegro
2. II. In Slow Blues Tempo
3. III. Allegretto
4. IV. Allegro Molto
Four Piano Blues
Aaron Copland, 1949
5. I. Freely Poetic
6. II. Soft and Languid
7. III. Muted and Sensuous
8. IV. With Bounce
9. On Gossamer Wings
Benny Golson, 2000
(World Premiere)
American Ballads
Roy Harris, 1947
10. I. Streets of Laredo
11. II. Wayfaring Stranger
12. III. The Bird
13. IV. Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
14. V. Cod Liver Ile
North American Ballads Frederic Rzewski, 1979
15. III. Down By the Riverside
2nd Piano Sonata: "Concord, Mass. 1840-1860" Charles Ives, 1909-1915
16. III. The Alcotts
Suite from The Plow That Broke the Plains
Virgil Thompson, 1942
17. I. Prelude
18. II. Cowboy Songs
19. III. Blues
20. IV. Finale
21. American Nocturne
Dana Suesse, 1942
 

Lara Downes - piano
 

$9.98 - CD

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Pianist Lara Downes takes us on a journey through the heart and soul of the USA with American Ballads, as she interprets 20th century works by Barber, Copland, Ives, Thompson and features the world premiere recording of jazz composer/saxophonist Benny Golson's On Gossamer Wings. This collection of solo pieces reflects the influence of popular music on our master composers and captures the essence of the American spirit, brilliantly performed by one of today's remarkable talents.
 

Invitation to the Dance

1. Polonaise from Eugene Onegin (Liszt/Tchaikovsky)
2. Invitation to the Dance (Carl Maria Von Weber)
3. Danzas Argentinas (Alberto Ginastera)
  Danza del Viejo Boyero
  Danza de la Moza Donosa
Danza del Gaucho Matrero
4. La Valse (Maurice Ravel) Choreographic poem for Orchestra transcribed for solo piano by the composer
5. Bolero, Op.19 (Frederic Chopin)
6. Souvenirs, Op. 28 (Samuel Barber)
  Waltz
  Schottische
  Pas de Deux
  Two-Step
  Hesitation-Tango
  Galop
 

Lara Downes - piano
 

$9.98 - CD

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With her debut recording, pianist Lara Downes beckons you to the dance floor as she interprets works by 19th and 20th century masters, from Carl Maria Von Weber to Samuel Barber. This collection of solo pieces captures the spirit of the ballroom through the ages, from the sublime to the grotesque, all remarkably and passionately performed by one of today's brightest talents.