This album features compositions that highlight the transformative period in music from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Alban Berg's Piano Sonata, Op.1, still rooted in traditional tonality, explores the daring harmonies of its time. Arnold Schoenberg's Six Small Piano Pieces, Op.19, distill complex emotions into brief, abstract compositions. Hanns Eisler's Sonata, Op.1, offers a modern take with irony and wit replacing traditional sentimentality. Maurice Ravel's Sonatina evokes pure tonal beauty influenced by Japanese music and European sensibilities. Arthur Honegger's Three Pieces emphasize rhythmic freedom and versatility. Enrique Granados's Allegro de Concierto blends Spanish folklore with European artistry, showcasing virtuosity without falling into banality. The German pianist Liselotte Weiss, known for her interpretations of seldom-played and challenging works, brings these pieces to life with her nuanced performances.
