Matthews
Of Time and Sky
Fisher Six Fantasy Pieces

UND 46

Peter Vinograde (piano)

MICHAEL MATTHEWS
Of Time and Sky (1990) [19:52]

ALFRED FISCHER
Six Fantasy Pieces (1982) [20:19]

Arik [2:56]
Reminiscences de Turandot [4:52]
There Is My People Sleeping [4:25]
An Etude of Chopin [1:21]
Quicksilver [0:39]
Fallen Angel [6:01]

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Etudes - Tableaux, Op. 33 (1911) [10:51]

no. 1 in F Minor [2:31]
no. 3 in C Major [4:45]
no. 6 in Eb Minor [1:42]
no. 7 in Eb Major [1:50]

The two major works on this recording, Michael Matthews' Of Time and Sky and Alfred Fisher's Six Fantasy Pieces, were paired for their contrasting styles. Both are immediately accesible and intesely expressive, and both end quietly, but there the similarities end. The Matthews work, in three large sections, moves from a knotty, acerbic opening through a contrapuntal, intense lyricism, into a jazzy, delightrully enpredictable jaunt. Then, as themes become more ephemeral and fragmented, the music dreamily drifts out of our consciousness. The Fisher work, in six movements of varying lengths, features the wild shattering and unpredictable (1 and 2), the reflective and sensual (3 and 6), the terse and witty (5) and the sparkling and virtuostic (4).

What the Critics Say:

"Instantly impressed as a pianist with a big technique, a lively mind, and a passionate commitment to the music.. an excellent recital." - Joseph Horowitz, New York Times

"Striking clarity (Bach)... Exquisitely sultry playing (Albeniz)... It was playing always musical, always intelligent, and panoramic in scope. There was no question of technique, really; the fire and fury consumed everything in sight. For doing things in his own way, he has few peers." -Albert Goldberg, Los Angeles Times