VYTAUTAS BACEVICIUS (1905-1970): Piano Music, Vol. 1 - For Piano: Premier, Op. 18, Troisième, Op. 27, Quatrième, Op. 31, Cinquième, Op. 59, Sixième, Op. 72, For Organ: Deuxième, Op. 21, For 2 Pianos: Septième, Op. 73.
Catalogue Number: 08O066
Label: Toccata Classics
Reference: TOCC 0134
Format: CD
Price: $18.98
Description: The Mots - the title seems to imply oracular pronouncements, perhaps related to the composer's concept of a spiritual 'cosmic music' - are united by name and by Bacevicius' consistently individual and fascinating, if evolving, musical personality; otherwise they are self-contained works spanning the early '30s to late '60s. The shadow of Scriabin - as well as his successors, such as Roslavets and Feinberg - is a constant presence especially in the earlier pieces. The Deuxième mot, for organ, has many similarities to early Messiaen. The language throughout the series is highly chromatic, bordering on atonality at times (especially in the final two), though often with a strong tonal pull, albeit an ambiguous and unstable one. This unpredictability, and an associated rhythmic flexibility, propel the music forward with irresistible momentum, and contribute to the composer's highly individual and compelling idiom. Gabrielius Alekna (piano), Ursula Oppens (second piano), Matthew Lewis (organ).