Josef Hofmann: Charakterskizzen, Op. 40
Felix Blumenfeld: Étude Pour la Main Gauche Seule, Op. 36
Emil von Sauer: Études de Concert - No. 19 in B minor "Vision"
Euginio Pirani: Scherzo-Étude, Op. 67
Abram Chasins: Prelude No. 13 in G flat major, Op. 12 No. 1
Ignacy Friedman: Drei Klavierstücke, Op. 33
Ossip Gabrilowitsch: Étude for the Left Hand, Op. 12 No. 2
Joseph Holbrooke: Rhapsodie-Études, Op. 42
Constantin von Sternberg: Étude de Concert No. 5 in F Major, Op. 115
Theodor Leschetizky: Trois Morceaux, Op. 48
Theodor Szanto: Troisième Étude Orientale (En Quartes)
Moritz Moszkowski: Melodia Appassionata, Op. 81 No. 6
Liszt/Busoni: Grande Étude de Paganini in G sharp minor "La campanella", S141

And now for something completely different!

Hot on the heels of his previous release issued a mere 6 months ago featuring the music of Dmitri Shostakovich, with reviews that praised Andrey Gugnin's ability to fully extract the emotive and narrative subtext within the music, this new recording directs its focus on the more "pianistic" aspects of works for the instrument. It's a well known fact that Leopold Godowsky was one of the greatest pianists of the early 20th century, so all the pieces gathered here were written for and dedicated to him to further exhibit his virtuosic prowess. It's clear that this music's prime motivation was not to evoke sentiments or express deep-rooted feelings, but rather to take full advantage of the piano's extensive range of capabilities, as well as a pianist's mastery of these capabilities, while remaining utterly musical and expressive.

For the sake of brevity, let's focus on the La campanella which is more than likely the best known out of all these pieces. Andrey Gugnin takes it at a slightly more relaxed pace than I've heard in the past, but the level of detail and finesse of dynamic balance here is staggering. Each and every note is proportional to the ones preceding or following it, and every accent is perfectly weighted. It's a thrill to listen to. Like a pinball wizard, the boy can play!