Aleksander TANSMAN (1897-1986)
Children at play* [17:20]
Recréations – 6 pieces for piano* [10:54]
Piano in progress Volume 1* [27:20], Volume 2* [14:03]
Easy pieces for piano* [16:31]
Elzbieta Tyszecka (piano)
rec. Henryk Czyza Kameralna Hall, Filharmonia Lódzka, Lódz, Poland, July 2012.
* World Première Recordings
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0270 [77:29]
I opened a previous review
of two CDs of the piano music of Aleksander Tansman (AP0246 and AP0255) thus:
“I always get a frisson of excitement at the prospect of hearing world première
recordings so I looked forward with relish to reviewing these discs of music
by Tansman for children to play”. I enjoyed reviewing those discs so much
that I quickly put my name down to review this one of more music for children
to play and again it is of world première recordings so the frisson continues
unabated.
If there are any listeners who prejudge these pieces as likely to be too simplistic
and therefore of little interest then they are making a big mistake for they
are so overwhelmingly charming that they cannot fail to please. However, there
is a lot more to them than that for they are imbued with such a deep feeling
of humanity and reverence for children that they reveal a man who must have
been a delight to know.
These pieces, all of them tiny miniatures (48 in all), show a composer who
could reflect any mood or style with consummate ease; countries such as Hungary
(in Hungarian Mood) are perfectly evoked, if it is a dance then it
is truly danceable (as in Valse, Tango), if it has an American
reference (as in Blues, Fox-trot and Spleen) then
it is as faithful an evocation of Americana as can be found anywhere, while
any references back to the Baroque era (like In modo Bachico, Gigue
and Fughetta) are highly convincing. Tansman spent many years in
France but wrote that “Certainly I owe a lot to France, but no one who has
ever heard my pieces can doubt that I always was, am, and will be a Polish
composer” a statement proved over and over again when he is not making other
specific references. His main impetus to compose these works was as a counter
to the dull as ditchwater exercises that children were usually called upon
to use as practise. I cannot imagine that any aspiring pianist would not be
thrilled to have these to learn and can imagine the pride they would exude
on being able to reproduce them for family and friends, proving that their
lessons were well worth having.
These pieces are enjoyable in their own right and would work as well in the
concert hall as part of a wider programme and would sparkle as encores, just
as they do here on disc. The booklet explains the background to each set,
gives a good potted biography of the composer and includes two lovely photos
of his daughters Mireille and Marianne who surely must have performed these
pieces.
The works are very well recorded in clear, crisp sound and Elzbieta Tyszecka
who was also the pianist on the above mentioned discs is a marvellous advocate
for these wonderfully charming and satisfying works. She clearly sees the
value of bringing them to the deserved attention of a wider audience as does
Acte Préalable which is carrying out sterling service in promoting Polish
music and musicians. But for them we might never get to hear such repertoire
which would be a very sad state of affairs so raise a cheer for all concerned.
Steve Arloff
Raise a cheer for all concerned.
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