Notes and Editorial Reviews
After decades of relative obscurity, a number of gifted American composers who flourished around the turn of the 20th century are being discovered by music lovers. After their deaths composers such as Horatio Parker and a number of others were dismissed as derivative and minor figures, writers of pale imitations of European art music. But, as their works begin to reenter the repertoire with greater frequency, listeners at the turn of the 21st century are discovering music of great charm, impeccable craftsmanship and sincere expression. In fact, in their day many of these composers were greatly admired. Parker, for example, as professor of composition and Dean of the School of Music at Yale, enjoyed a reputation as a master of compositional
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craft, and taught a number of important younger composers, including Charles Ives. The reality was that Ives helped take music in a new direction, but now from the distance of a century or more, the fact that Parker's music was not ground breaking seems somehow less important and we as listeners are free to admire the craftsmanship and respond to the sincerity of this wonderful music.
"Americanists will rejoice at the availability of Horatio Parker's piano music. Parker, a member of the so-called Second New England School (the First included William Billings and the other Revolutionary hymn-tune composers), was one of the first major figures on the American compositional landscape....The music is elegant and charming..."
American Record Guide
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Works on This Recording
1.
Lyrics (6), Op. 25 by Horatio Parker
Performer:
Peter Kairoff (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1891; USA
Date of Recording: 05/07/1998
Venue: Wake Forest University, NC
Length: 21 Minutes 58 Secs.
2.
Sketches (4), Op. 19 by Horatio Parker
Performer:
Peter Kairoff (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1890; USA
Date of Recording: 05/07/1998
Venue: Wake Forest University, NC
Length: 12 Minutes 55 Secs.
6.
Morceaux caractéristiques (5), Op. 9: Elegie by Horatio Parker
Performer:
Peter Kairoff (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1886; USA
Date of Recording: 05/07/1998
Venue: Wake Forest University, NC
Length: 5 Minutes 32 Secs.
Sound Samples
6 Lyrics, Op. 23: No. 1. Reverie
6 Lyrics, Op. 23: No. 2. Ballad
6 Lyrics, Op. 23: No. 3. Rondino
6 Lyrics, Op. 23: No. 4. Fairy Tale
6 Lyrics, Op. 23: No. 5. Barcarolle
6 Lyrics, Op. 23: No. 6. Novelette
4 Sketches, Op. 19: No. 1. Romanza
4 Sketches, Op. 19: No. 2. Scherzino
4 Sketches, Op. 19: No. 3. Etude Melodieuse
4 Sketches, Op. 19: No. 4. Nocturne
5 Morceaux caracteristiques, Op. 9: No. 5. Gavotte
5 Morceaux caracteristiques, Op. 9: No. 4. Caprice
5 Morceaux caracteristiques, Op. 9: No. 1. Elegie
3 Morceaux caracteristiques, Op. 49: No. 3. Valse Gracile
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