PHILIP GLASS (b. 1937)
GLASSWORLDS • 6
AMERICA
WICHITA VORTEX SUTRA • MUSIC IN CONTRARY MOTION
NICOLAS HORVATH
‘It is with great pleasure that I am releasing a new Glass album, after much encouragement and requests from fans of the series. My intention with this album is to show, how Philip Glass, like all the great composers from the past, has used his own country's history to create some wonderful musical art. This album also features his most difficult piano piece: the solo piano transcription of the Second Piano Concerto. In addition, there is also the very popular Wichita Vortex Sutra but in two versions – one for the piano solo and the second with narrator. I am really thrilled to present this new album to Philip Glass admirers and to my fans, and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I do. Personally, I feel that this album is one of the best in the series.’
– Nicolas Horvath
Piano Concerto No. 2 (after Lewis and Clark)
About this Recording
In weaving America’s native culture and history, Philip Glass (b. 1937) has created his own musical lineage. This album explores these ideas through his single most demanding piano piece, the ferocious, but lyrically meditative Piano Concerto No. 2 (after Lewis and Clark), as well as one of his most neglected, the mysterious A Secret Solo 2. Wichita Vortex Sutra, a joyful and transcendent study, is also heard in the version for narrator, with words by the poet Allen Ginsberg. From his experimental years comes Music in Contrary Motion with its mesmerising variety of pulse patterns.
(arr. Paul Barnes for solo piano) (2004) (28:41)
FLORIENT AZOULAY, narrator
TOTAL TIME: 78:28
NICOLAS HORVATH
Nicolas Horvath began his music studies at Monaco’s Académie de Musique et de Théâtre Prince Rainier III and soon began to make an impression on a number of artists who would become his mentors. Aged 16 he caught the attention of the American conductor Lawrence Foster before coming to the notice of several distinguished international pianists, including Liszt specialist Leslie Howard. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including First Prize at both the Scriabin and the Luigi Nono International Competitions. He has become noted for hosting concerts of unusual length, sometimes lasting over twelve hours, such as the overnight performance of the complete piano music of Erik Satie at the Paris Philharmonie before a cumulative audience of 14,000 people. In 2019 he performed alongside Philip Glass at the same venue in a programme devoted to the American composer’s piano music. Nicolas is a Steinway Artist.
PREVIOUS RELEASES IN NICOLAS HORVATH’S ACCLAIMED GLASSWORLDS CYCLE
– Pizzicato
– Fanfare
– American Record Guide
not hesitate.’
– International Piano ★★★★★
– ResMusica.com
