Search - Jan Vaclav Vorisek, Olga Tverskaya :: Jan Václav Vorísek: Works for Piano

Interesting and influential pieces of late classicism

Timmy | New York, Ny United States | 06/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jan Vorisek is almost completely unknown today as a composer. He was, however, both inventive and influential. For example, his set of six impromptus directly preceded those of Schubert (who admired them). These pieces, which start in C-major and rise by fifths (C-G-D-A-E-B) are imbued with lovely melodies and rank amongst the first piano miniatures, a genre so popular in the 19th century. The other important work on this disk is his sonata in Bb minor. Like Beethoven's 'moonlight' sonata, it is marked 'quasi una fantasia,' and is perhaps the first sonata ever written in that key. It opens with a grand gesture (imitating Mozart's Haffner symphony), but proceeds to unfold in a very ingenious manner, both from a pianistic and harmonic standpoint. The development section is particularly rich in ocunterpoint. There is no slow movement, only a scherzo in the unusual key of c#-minor and a rhythmically exciting finale. The other two works on this disk are of lesser importance but entertaining nonetheless. The variations are quite straightforward- the melody and harmony is always maintained (there is one variation in Dussek-style, with the melody played over flowing sextupletes). The fantasie is less wild than those of Beethoven, but, once again, is rich in melody. The performance is excellent. I am only taking off one star because I personally am not fond of period instruments, on which these pieces are played."