Composer Stephen Hartke is not a familiar name, but the performers on this disc give a selection of his chamber music and solo piano music all the attention usually reserved for well-loved classics. Led by pianist Xak Bjerken, the opening work, The Horse with the Lavender Eye for violin, clarinet, and piano, has a witty seriousness, while the closing The King of the Sun for violin, viola, cello, and piano, reveals a more sonically evocative side of Hartke's style. On his own, Bjerken proves a persuasive interpreter. His ...
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Composer Stephen Hartke is not a familiar name, but the performers on this disc give a selection of his chamber music and solo piano music all the attention usually reserved for well-loved classics. Led by pianist Xak Bjerken, the opening work, The Horse with the Lavender Eye for violin, clarinet, and piano, has a witty seriousness, while the closing The King of the Sun for violin, viola, cello, and piano, reveals a more sonically evocative side of Hartke's style. On his own, Bjerken proves a persuasive interpreter. His sonata has an irresistible flow and his readings of selections from Post-modern Homages are often very funny, as in the Gymnopédie No. 4, and sometimes quite moving, as in Sonatina DCXL. Written in a not altogether tonal and yet not altogether post-tonal style with dashes of post-modernism and neo-romanticism and a fair-sized helping of inspiration, Hartke's music is ideal for listeners who want emotionally engaging and intellectually appealing new music. Chandos' digital sound is...
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