<<  -- 3 --  Malcolm Miller    PIANO MEETS SITAR

During the recital Feuchtwanger's works were interspersed with an interesting choice of contrasting piano music: Bach's Sonata in D minor BWV 964, in turn propulsively polyphonic and dreamily lyrical, Medtner's Fairy Tale Op 51 No 2, a frothy theme disguised in rich Rachmaninov like textures, and Chopin's Variations Brillantes on a theme from the opera Ludovic by Herold and Halevy Op 12, an intriguing fusion of French grand opera and early Chopin. The contrasts highlighted the static contemplative beauty of Feuchtwanger's works all the more, and a repeat of the Study No 7 offered a relaxing encore.

The recital affirmed the special quality of Feuchtwanger's piano oeuvre, its intriguing and appealing responsiveness to the creative fusions of diverse multi-cultural influences in the 21st century. While clearly stemming early on from the aesthetic of Israeli composers in the 50s who aimed for a fusion of European and eastern idioms, Feuchtwanger's works have, since the 1960s, broadened their stylistic palette through the visionary use of far eastern influences. His unique improvisatory compositions radiate a tantalising synthesis of eastern sounds with western instruments and techniques that both beguiles and entrances. The CD, in which Dickenson performs the works with aplomb, includes illuminating notes about the various sources of each work and the specific eastern patterns and techniques employed: its release is an event to be celebrated.