Composer Justin Dello Joio is the seventh generation of composers in his family, and this recording of his works is sure to bring pride to his family name. Every aspect of this album is well thought out, from his intellectual and structured approach to composition, his wise selection of musicians chosen to premiere his works, to the insightful and informative liner notes written by the composer. The album opens with two concert etudes, which, though monstrously difficult from a technical aspect, are still filled with clear ...
Read More
Composer Justin Dello Joio is the seventh generation of composers in his family, and this recording of his works is sure to bring pride to his family name. Every aspect of this album is well thought out, from his intellectual and structured approach to composition, his wise selection of musicians chosen to premiere his works, to the insightful and informative liner notes written by the composer. The album opens with two concert etudes, which, though monstrously difficult from a technical aspect, are still filled with clear musical and emotional ideas. Pianist Garrick Ohlsson, who's received some positive attention for his cycle of the complete Beethoven sonatas, demonstrates just how versatile a musician he is. Ohlsson handles the technical demands of the two etudes with ease; his playing is sublimely lucid and powerful. We hear this again in the Sonata for Piano, where Ohlsson's masterful performance clearly delineates the structural aspects of the music without compromising its emotional content....
Read Less