Hommage, Op 58 No 2 (Whithorne) - from CDA67903 - Hyperion Records

Reviews

‘Performances of a superlative technique and musicianship. Pianism and sheer musical quality of this order are rare at any time, and Hyperion's recordings … are exemplary’ (Gramophone)

‘This is a fascinating document. Pieces by Martinů and Castelnuovo-Tedesco are among the gems … overall more reflective than virtuosic, this disc allows Plowright to show off his superb command of texture and colour’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘This is an enchanting follow-up to Jonathan Plowright’s 'Hommage à Chopin' disc (CDA67803), and, like that one, it is an eclectic mix of music focused on a central figure … many of the composers have now disappeared into the mists of time, but all of these miniatures are well worth the warmth, affection, lyrical beauty and bravura that Plowright devotes to them … the 24 tracks also include music by Britten, Bartók and Milhaud, adding to a disc that makes a welcome change in being conceived with such imagination. Plowright’s playing throughout is sublime’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘Jonathan Plowright's sumptuous range of colours and dynamic control [is] much in evidence … any pianophile will surely find it interesting to have a glimpse into music by the composers of the day. One can find no fault, too, with Hyperion's well-balanced, warmly recorded sound’ (International Record Review)

A native of Cleveland, Emerson Whithorne studied in Europe, including the piano with Leschetizky, who had also been Paderewski’s teacher. At some point following his return to the USA in 1915 he gave composition lessons to Richard Hammond, composer of the Dance found earlier in the volume. Hammond and Whithorne cofounded the Composers’ Music Corporation in New York, specializing in publishing the scores of contemporary composers. Most of Whithorne’s Hommage is written on four staves. Marked Lento, the theme of this piece is based on a rhythmic motif that incorporates a triplet figure which dominates the opening and closing sections of the work. The solemn, slow-moving pace creates a depressed mood.

Natif de Cleveland, Emerson Whithorne fut formé en Europe, où il étudia notamment le piano avec Leschetizky, le maître de Paderewski. De retour aux États-Unis en 1915, il enseigna la composition à Richard Hammond, auteur de la Danse également proposée ici. Ensemble, Hammond et Whithorne fondèrent la Composers’ Music Corporation à New York, une structure spécialisée dans l’édition de partitions de musique contemporaine. L’Hommage de Whithorne est, pour l’essentiel, écrit sur quatre portées. Son thème, marqué Lento, est fondé sur un motif rythmique incluant une figure de triolets qui domine les sections extrêmes de la composition. Le rythme solennel, à pas lents, crée un climat abattu.

Der in Cleveland geborene Emerson Whithorne studierte in Europa u. a. Klavier bei Leschetizky, der auch Paderewskis Lehrer gewesen war. Nach seiner Rückkehr in die USA 1915 gab er zeitweise Richard Hammond Kompositionsunterricht, dem Komponisten von Dance (früher im Album). Hammond und Whithorne gründeten gemeinsam die Composers’ Music Corporation in New York, wobei sie sich auf die Veröffentlichung von Musik zeitgenössischer Komponisten spezialisierten. Der größte Teil von Whithornes Hommage ist in einem Notensystem mit vier Linien geschrieben. Das Thema dieses Lento überschriebenen Stückes beruht auf einem rhythmischen Motiv mit einer Triolenfigur, die im Anfangs- und Schlußteil der Komposition dominiert. Das feierliche, langsam voranschreitende Tempo erzeugt eine bedrückte Stimmung.

Recording details: January 2011
Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Produced by Jeremy Hayes
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: November 2011
Total duration: 4 minutes 6 seconds

Cover artwork: Adaptation of the cover illustration for Homage to Paderewski (Boosey & Hawkes, 1942).

Hommage, Op 58 No 2

Jonathan Plowright (piano)

Reviews

Introduction