RELEASES
New Release May 2024
Viv McLean performs Kenneth V. Jones: Piano Sonata Op. 4 (1950) and
Piano Quintet Op. 26 (1967) with Soloists from the London Mozart Players
UPC: 5020926043429
Catalog Number: SRCD434
Label: Lyrita
Piano music by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturnes & Polonaises
Viv McLean invites us to explore the complex and sometimes competing facets of Chopin's musical personality. If the nocturne signifies Chopin's love for the human voice and the polonaise represents his love for the national dance of his homeland, McLean's approach seeks to marry the two, finding songs in the dances and dances in the songs. As a result, the performances are richly textured. His playing is improvisatory yet logical, sensitive but confident. This is a worthy addition to any collection.
Jason Sifford, Piano Magazine / ClavierCompanion.com
1. Prelude in C Sharp Minor Op. 45
2. Nocturne in E Minor Op. 72 No. 1
3. Polonaise in C Sharp Minor Op. 26 No. 1
4. Nocturne in C Minor Op. Post.
5. Mazurka in A Minor Op. 17 No. 4
6. Nocturne in C Sharp Minor Op. Post.
7. Ballade No. 3 in A Flat Op. 47
8. Nocturne in G Minor Op. 37 No. 1
9. Nocturne in E Flat Op. 9 No. 2
10. Polonaise-Fantasy in A Flat Op. 61
Live Recordings: Piano music by Bach, Brahms, Liszt, Medtner & Schubert
STONE RECORDS
/ Catalogue No: 5060192781014
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Stream Here
Brahms's Rhapsodies Op. 79 offer sweeping drama in robust, textually clear performances.
Medtner's Fairy Tale Op. 8 No. 2 is the star of the recital, beautifully shaped.
Liszt's Mazeppa from the Transcendental Etudes is characteristically exciting.
Colin Clarke, International Piano
A passionate and diverse survey, virtuoso style
Gary Lemco, Fanfare Magazine
Bach – Prelude & Fugue in E flat minor BMV 853
Brahms – Two Rhapsodies Op. 79 – I – Agitato
Brahms – Two Rhapsodies Op. 79 – II – Molto passionato, ma non troppo allegro
Schubert – Sonata in B flat D 960 – I – Molto moderato
Schubert – Sonata in B flat D 960 – II – Andante sostenuto
Schubert – Sonata in B flat D 960 – III – Scherzo
Schubert – Sonata in B flat D 960 – IV – Allegro ma non troppo
Medtner – Fairy Tale Op. 8 No. 2
Liszt – Transcendental Etude No. 4 – “Mazeppa”
‘Rhythm and Poetry’ – Viv McLean – the sensitive and highly expressive musician records his new CD for ICSM Records.
Musical phrases and voices intertwined with McLean’s unmistakable sense of rhythm of the music. The energy that Gershwin gives to pianists, such as this [McLean], is superbly expressed through McLean’s controlled power, rhythmic flexibility; and mesmerising understanding of the unique poetry of the music.
Pizzicato (Germany)
We begin with the solo piano version of Gershwin’s famous “Rhapsody in Blue”. McLean has a positively symphonic approach, despite being limited to a mere two hands (although at times it sounds like has more). Silences speak; careful pedal work ensures maximum definition. This is, when it needs to be, an unhurried Rhapsody. McLean finds just the right amount of swing.
The by-now familiar McLean tropes are all here (“An American in Paris”): clarity, understanding, and an ability to move freely from the dynamic to the heart-meltingly reflective. The cleanliness of the return to the opening measures around four and a half minutes in is splendidly realized, as is the sheer joy of the bright touch a few moments later.
Throughout the songs, McLean finds the heart of each and every number.
Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine (USA)
Viv McLean’s technical mastery is never deployed for its own sake (“Rhapsody in Blue”). He makes us believe that he’s composing it on the spot, and passages like the very rhetorical lead-in to the big tune are irresistibly done.
Couplings include the Three Preludes and a generous selection of song arrangements. The bluesy second prelude is sweetly done, and the harmonic boldness of a song like “Who Cares” is striking. Percy Grainger’s take on “The Man I Love” is appealing, and there’s a nifty abridged version of “An American in Paris”.
It's all excellent.
Graham Rickson, TheArtsDesk.com
Gershwin: 'Who Cares?': The Songbook for Piano and Orchestra (download link)
A celebration of some of Gershwin’s finest works, including "Who Cares"?
(adapted and orchestrated from The Gershwin Songbook by Hershy Kay).
Artists
Simon Lee Conductor
Viv McLean Piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Track listing
1. Strike Up The Band
2. Sweet and Low Down
3. Somebody Loves Me
4. Bidin' my Time
5. 'S Wonderful/That Certain Feeling
6. Do Do Do/Lady be Good
7. The Man I Love
8. I'll Build a Staircase to Paradise
9. Embraceable You
10. Fascinatin' Rhythm
11. Who Cares?
12. My One and Only
13. Liza
14. I Got Rhythm
15. Promenade, Walking the Dog
16. Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture for Orchestra (arr. Robert Russell Bennett)
17. Cuban Overture
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Recorded live at the Wigmore Hall, London on 18th May 2008
BRAHMS Two Rhapsodies Op. 79
LISZT Six Consolations S172
SCHUBERT Sonata in B flat D 960
GRIEG Lyric Pieces
Total Playing time: 74'55"
Label: Master Musicians
ASIN: B00BKYK4ZQ
Email Viv McLean to purchase
Recorded live at the ACT City Hamamatsu Concert Hall, Japan in November 2000
BACH Prelude & Fugue in E flat minor BMV 853
MEDTNER Fairy Tale Op. 8 No. 2
CHOPIN Polonaise-Fantasie Op. 61
RAVEL Sonatine
LISZT Mazeppa
Total Playing time: 45'58"
Label: Master Musicians
ASIN: B00C8TZCAY