Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
A great player can give meaning and substance even to lightweight miniatures. Andsnes says that his musical 'horizon,' at first limited to 'big, important' music, opened to the appreciation of the short 'salon' pieces and arrangements assembled on this record only as he got older, though they had accompanied him since childhood. The program features original compositions and transcriptions, including many familiar favorites. They span several centuries and come from every corner of Europe. Andsnes' virtuosity is breath-taking, his tone is beautiful, and his legato sings regardless of the accompanying texture. Above all, he captures every style, idiom, and mood. Andsnes' phrasing, dynamics, and liberties are balanced and poised, and his love for the music speaks through every note. Listeners will choose their own favorites among these 22 very different pieces, but surely no one will be able to resist Gieseking's spectacular arrangement of Richard Strauss' 'Serenade,' which adds torrents of notes to the virtuosic piano part and incorporates the vocal line as well. The fleetness and clarity of the Chopin 'Impromptu' here never touches the ground, while Ibert's 'Little White Donkey' has charm and delicacy and Liszt's 'Liebestraum' resounds with ardent passion. Andsnes' brilliant, captivating performance will induce smiles of admiration and pleasure as well as a new respect for this versatile and colorful repertoire. --Edith Eisler









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Disc 1:

1. Sibelius: 13 Pieces Op. 76, No. 2 Etude
2. Scriabin: 2 Impromtus Op. 14, No. 1
3. Mendelssohn: Songs Without WordsBook VI Op. 67 - No. 2 in F Sharp minor
4. R. Strauss/Gieseking: Standchen (No. 2 of 6 Lieder, Op. 17)
5. Mompou: Paisajes - No. 2, El lago
6. J. S. Bach/Bussoni: Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (from 10 Chorale
7. Chopin: Impromptu No. 1 in A flat Op. 29
8. Liszt: 3 Liebestraume S541 - No. 3 'O Lieb, so land du lieben kannst!'
9. Shostakovich: The Golden Age Op. 22 - Polka
10. Albeniz: Espana Op.165, No. 2 Tango
11. Mompou: Cancion y danza No. 1
12. Chopin/Liszt: 6 Chants polonaises s480 - No. 5 Meine Freunden
13. Liszt: Valse - impromptu S213
14. Antheil: Toccata No. 2
15. Trenet: Chanson: Coin de rue
16. Halvorsen/Andsnes: Suite de morceaux caracteristiques for violin &
17. Grieg: Humoresque Op. 6, No. 3
18. Smetana: Am Seegestade ('At the Sea') - Concert Study in G sharp minor
19. Scott: 2 Pieces Op. 47, No. 2 Lotus Land
20. Ibert: 10 Histoires No. 2 Le Petit Ane blanc
21. Debussy: Suite bergamasque No. 3 Clair de lune
22. Grieg: Stemninger Op. 73, No. 4 Folketone

Rating: - * SHORT, SWEET AND LOVELY ... According to the notes in this release the selections contained therein are a personal collection of piano encores selected and wonderfully played by pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. Indeed it is a rich and full recording (close to 70 minutes in length) of short (each averaging about 3 ½ minutes in length) piano works composed by (or arranged) composers such as Jean Sibelius, Felix Mendelssohn, Frederic Chopin, Edward Grieg, Claude Debussy, Franz Liszt--to name a few. All of the selections are played very beautifully by Leif Ove Andsnes always with gorgeous tone through out the recording. Plus the encores on this disc are very interesting musically from the virtuosic Franz Liszt "Valse Impromptu" to the introspection and beauty of Debussy's "Clair de lune" I really loved Smetana's "At the Sea" and Cyril Scott's two pieces opus 47. Infact I enjoyed this entire album immensely. It is truly played wonderfully and it contains some rather familiar works intermingled with some rather unknown repertoire played by a master of the piano. In addition the recorded sound is good too. Rating: - * Perfect before bedtime. ... I never heard of Leif Ove Andsnes before but as soon as I heard the first track, I could already tell that he has a distinct style. Rating: - * Delightful and energetic performance ... I like the way he made the songs come to life. They were filled with energy and feelings. Rating: - * World Class Musician ... Leif Ove Andsnes is an incredible artist on the piano and his talents are showcased in this cd. His artistry has an extensive range as exhibited in the diversity of this repertoire. This is classical piano at its best. Rating: - * 22 Bravos ... 22 piano encores some familiar most not, at least to me, played with manly beauty by Leif Ove Andsnes. A treasure chest. A horizon expanding recording. 22 Bravos