Various Composers - MANíA (James Rhodes)

Information

1. Isaac Albéniz - Suite española No. 1, Op. 47: V. Asturias (Leyenda)
2. Johannes Brahms - 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: VI. Intermezzo. Andantino teneramente
3. Richard Strauss - 6 Lieder, Op. 17, TrV 149: II. Serenade (arr. Walter Gieseking)
4. Frédéric Chopin - Nocturnes, Op. 27: No. 2 in D-Flat Major, 'Lento sostenuto'
5. Alberto Ginastera - Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2: No. 2, Danza de la moza donosa
6. Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante (transcr. Alexander Siloti)
7. Frédéric Chopin - Deux Nocturnes, Op. 62: II. Lento
8. Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: I. Adagio (arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
9. Sergei Rachmaninov - 6 Moment Musicaux, Op. 16: VI. Maestoso
10. Sergei Rachmaninov - Études-tableaux, Op. 33: III. Grave
11. Sergei Prokofev - 10 Pieces for piano from "Romeo and Juliet", Op. 75: VI. The Montagues and Capulets
12. Johann Sebastian Bach - Organ Sonata No. 4, BWV 528: II. Andante (transcr. August Stradal)
13. Sergei Prokofev - 10 Pieces for piano from "Romeo and Juliet", Op. 75: X. Romeo and Juliet Before Parting

James Rhodes, piano

Date: 2025

Label: Signum Records

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Acclaimed pianist James Rhodes presents an album of music that provides relief and comfort, including pieces by Albéniz, Brahms, Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.

"For this album, Manía, I wanted to create a playlist of pieces that accompany me and my insomnia, my anxiety, my desperation and my fears in the middle of the night and provide the kind of relief that only music and prescription meds can give. I include an Argentinian composer (Ginastera) for the first time as a nod of admiration towards my incredible, beautiful, life-enhancing wife Mica, a Buenos Aires native. And I also include Albeniz as a mark of profound gratitude that my life is now immeasurably improved as a Spanish citizen living in Madrid. Obviously there is a ton of Bach (in transcriptions that make me weep for all the right reasons), a couple of Chopin nocturnes that are, in every way, quantifiably more than the sum of their parts, some percussive, crunchy, world-weary Prokofiev, opposing sides of Rachmaninov (the eerily calm and the hyper-heroic) and even a transcription of a Strauss song (the good Strauss).

Variety is the spice etc... These are some of the pieces that ground me, that calm me and that remind me of what is real and true in a world that seems more and more removed from both reality and truth. I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed recording them." — James Rhodes.

James Rhodes is a British-Spanish concert pianist and writer. He has recorded several albums for Signum and performed at some of the most prestigious venues around the world.

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