Liszt, Rachmaninov, Busoni: Back to Bach: Tributes and Transcriptions

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In the two Liszt transcriptions that bookend the programme, Hamilton uninhibitedly exploits the full dynamic range of the piano…rattling the lower bass strings to thrilling effect as he creates... — Gramophone Magazine, August 2017 More…

Release Date: 19th May 2017
Catalogue No: PFCD061
Label: Prima Facie
Length: 58 minutes

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Liszt: Fantasia & Fugue on B-A-C-H, S529

Work length11:47

$3.00

$3.85

Kenneth Hamilton (piano)

Fantasia & Fugue on Theme B-A-C-H, S. 529

Track length11:47

$3.00

$3.85

Excerpt, Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV1006

Work length8:41

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$3.90

Kenneth Hamilton (piano)

Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006 (Arr. S. Rachmaninoff for Piano): I. Preludio

Track length3:31

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$1.30

Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006 (Arr. S. Rachmaninoff for Piano): III. Gavotte en rondeau

Track length3:24

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Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006 (Arr. S. Rachmaninoff for Piano): VII. Gigue

Track length1:46

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Excerpt, Bach, J S: 18 Chorales

Work length5:00

$1.00

$1.30

Kenneth Hamilton (piano)

Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 (Arr. F. Busoni for Piano)

Track length5:00

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004

Work length14:10

$3.00

$3.85

Kenneth Hamilton (piano)

Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: V. Chaconne (Arr. F. Busoni for Piano)

Track length14:10

$3.00

$3.85

Excerpt, Bach, J S: Das Orgelbüchlein

Work length3:01

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Kenneth Hamilton (piano)

Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 (Arr. F. Busoni for Piano)

Track length3:01

$1.00

$1.30

Liszt: Variations on a theme from 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen' (J S Bach) for piano, S180

Work length15:24

$4.00

$5.15

Kenneth Hamilton (piano)

Variations on a Theme of Bach, S. 180 "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen"

Track length15:24

$4.00

$5.15

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About

The pianist Kenneth Hamilton, whose recording of Ronald Stevenson's piano works received widespread critical acclaim, returns with an imaginative recording of Bach tributes and transcriptions. 'Liszt, Rachmaninov, Busoni: Back to Bach' forms the first in Prima Facie's Heritage Series, which seeks to shed new light on familiar repertoire.

'Back to Bach', mapped out as a pianistic pilgrimage and Romantic musical offering, traverses a path from the resonant virtuosity of Liszt's Fantasy and Fugue on Bach to his movingly intimate Variations on "Weinen, klagen". Along the way, it takes in Rachmaninov's witty transformation of a Bach violin partita, the meditative beauty of the Bach-Busoni Chorale Preludes and the famous Bach-Busoni Chaconne.

Hamilton's playing is inspired both by his passion for this music, and by fascination for its varied historical sources - insights into the past that include Busoni's and Rachmaninov's own recordings, and the reminiscences of Liszt pupils. The Bach-Busoni Chaconne accordingly features revisions from Busoni's piano roll of the piece, while the poignant rendition of Liszt's Variations on "Weinen, Klagen" reflects Liszt's own performance advice, as well as Hamilton's conviction that the work was written as an emotional tribute to Liszt's children Daniel and Blandine, whose tragically early deaths are shatteringly depicted in the music. It is, in fact, a foreshadowing of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder (Songs of the Death of Children), ending not with resigned despair, but with a fervent hope for future redemption.

Described by The Guardian as an "all-round virtuoso", Scottish pianist Kenneth Hamilton performs worldwide as a recitalist, concerto soloist and broadcaster. His previous Prima Facie CD, 'Kenneth Hamilton Plays Ronald Stevenson Volume 1', received enthusiastic reviews: "Played with understanding and brilliance" - Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3 Record Review; "an unmissable disc" - Colin Clarke, Fanfare; performed with "precision and brilliance" - Andrew Clements, The Guardian.

Reviews

August 2017

In the two Liszt transcriptions that bookend the programme, Hamilton uninhibitedly exploits the full dynamic range of the piano…rattling the lower bass strings to thrilling effect as he creates the organ-like sonority necessary to convey the full majesty of Liszt’s writing…in the two Bach-Busoni chorales Hamilton shows another side of his artistry, singing their long-breathed lines to perfection…a most rewarding recital from a pianist who merits far wider attention

6th August 2017

Hamilton has studied his sources in minute detail and brings new insights to Liszt’s Fantasia on Bach, his “Weinen, Klagen” variations, and dispatches Busoni’s great arrangement of the violin Chaconne with magnificent aplomb...this is another compelling episode in the story of JS Bach 267 years after his death.

Liszt, Rachmaninov, Busoni: Back to Bach

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