Recorded in 1982, this re-issue of Lambert Orkis's program of Gottschalk piano works brings back to the catalog one of the landmark recordings of the revival of interest in the great 19th century American composer/virtuoso. Orkis performs on an 1865 Chickering concert grand piano, an instrument similar to the Chickerings that Gottschalk employed on his American concert tours. Gottschalk was born in New Orleans in 1829, the first child of a large, well-to-do Jewish family. His family lived not far from Congo Square (now Louis Armstrong Park), where the music of African-Americans, the music that would eventually evolve into jazz, was played. Gottschalk's virtuoso compositions for piano made significant use of this music, combining it with forms developed in his studies and travels in Europe. Lambert Orkis has received international recognition as chamber musician, interpreter of contemporary music, and performer on period instruments. He has appeared world-wide in recital in North America, Europe, and Asia with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter since 1988 and with cellist Mstislav Rostropovich since 1983, and continues to perform with The Castle Trio, a period instrument ensemble in residence at Washington's Smithsonian Institution.
Reviews:
“It is fully fledged American composition from an American composer who deserves to be remembered for his huge contribution towards establishing a truly American sound in music. The disc is an interesting addition to the discography of this thoroughly original composer.” - MusicWeb International
“This is a valuable release that should attract period instrument mavens and Gottschalk acolytes.” - ClassicsToday.com
“Gottschalk: Music for Piano has been out of print for far too long, and devotees of the composer, and this pianist, will have reason to rejoice with its return, in far better sound than in an earlier CD incarnation dating to the ‘80s.” - AllMusic (Uncle Dave Lewis)
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Solitude, Op. 65
La Brise (Valse de Concert)
Souvenir de la Havane (Grande Caprice de Concert)
Le Chant du Martyr (Etude de Concert)
Manchega (Etude de Concert)
La Savane (Ballade Creole)
Union (Paraphrase de Concert on the National Airs: Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, and Hail Columbia)
Lambert Orkis, piano
BRIDGE 9206