John Wilson – Rachmaninoff & Gershwin transcriptions by Earl Wild (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

John Wilson – Rachmaninoff & Gershwin transcriptions by Earl Wild (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 58:36 minutes | 1010 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Avie Records

If the second solo album by young American pianist John Wilson had a title, it might well be “Virtuoso,” for that description permeates John’s musical selections as well as his dynamic interpretations. John follows in the footsteps of previous pianistic giants Sergei Rachmaninoff, George Gershwin and Earl Wild, all of whom have contributions on this new release – indeed the pedigree of these composer-arranger-pianists runs through John’s musical DNA.

One of the first pieces John learned was Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, the work with which Earl Wild made a spectacular debut with Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, a live broadcast that made front page news. Wild’s renowned re-workings of Gershwin’s music for the stage is represented here by the Fantasy on ‘Porgy and Bess’, alongside Gershwin’s own Three Preludes for solo piano. Wild also turned his hand to solo piano arrangements of Rachmaninoff’s soulful songs which John feels a close affinity for thanks to hisfrequent collaborations with singers.

This follow-up to John’s acclaimed recent solo debut, Upon Further Reflection which features music of his mentor Michael Tilson Thomas, Aaron Copland and Earl Wild arrangements of George Gershwin songs, is a stellar showcase for a vibrant young musician with his star rapidly in the ascendent.

Tracklist:
1-01. John Wilson – 6 Romances, Op. 38: No. 5, The Dream (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (03:36)
1-02. John Wilson – 12 Romances, Op. 14: No. 1, Floods of Spring (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (03:48)
1-03. John Wilson – 12 Romances, Op. 14: No. 2, The Little Island (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (01:58)
1-04. John Wilson – 12 Romances, Op. 14: No. 5, Midsummer Nights (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (03:36)
1-05. John Wilson – 6 Romances, Op. 4: No. 4, O, Cease Thy Singing (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (04:21)
1-06. John Wilson – 12 Romances, Op. 21: No. 8, On the Death of A Linnet (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (04:59)
1-07. John Wilson – 12 Romances, Op. 14: No. 8, Do Not Grieve (Arr. for Piano by Earl Wild) (03:30)
1-08. John Wilson – Three Preludes: I. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso (01:25)
1-09. John Wilson – Three Preludes: II. Andante con moto e poco rubato (03:45)
1-10. John Wilson – Three Preludes: III. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso (01:09)
1-11. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Introduction (00:12)
1-12. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Jasbo Brown Blues (01:37)
1-13. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Summertime (03:03)
1-14. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Oh, I Can’t Sit Down (01:28)
1-15. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: My Man’s Gone Now (03:25)
1-16. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ (02:34)
1-17. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Buzzard Song (02:02)
1-18. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: It Ain’t Necessarily So (03:35)
1-19. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Bess, You Is My Woman (02:34)
1-20. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: I Loves You, Porgy/Bess, You Is My Woman (02:01)
1-21. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York (02:26)
1-22. John Wilson – Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess: Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way (01:22)

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