Thoughtful Recital Programming

This is a very intelligent programme put together by pianist Helene Grimaud. The cd takes its' title Credo from the closing piece on the disk by Arvo Part for piano, mixed choir and orchestra. The same forces are required for Beethoven's Choral Fantasy and on this disk they are the Swedish Radio Choir and Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Esa-Pekka Salonen. The other two works on the cd are for solo piano, Fantasia on an Ostinato by contemporary American composer John Corigliano and Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 17, The Tempest. The two choral pieces are both redemptive, celebrating light and faith. The Choral Fantasy was a precursor of the 9th Symphony and the famous themes from the final movement of that are here in embryo. Part's Credo is one of his earlier works and takes a Bach prelude as one of its influences, in amongst loud dissonant passages. Corigliano also takes inspiration from the past for his piano piece, in this case Beethoven and the alegretto from the 7th Symphony. Grimaud plays with tact and restraint in the ensemble pieces and really stands out with her perfromance of the Tempest sonata. She is to be commended for attempting to reach beyond the normal confines of a recital.