Complete Piano Works, Vol. 4

Description

Here is the fourth volume of the first-ever edition of Louise Farrenc's piano works, in six parts. Although Louise Farrenc appears in discographic catalogs, her piano works have until now been neglected, and a complete edition is generally considered long overdue. This is evidenced by the new world premiere recordings included in this fourth volume, which completes the two parts of Farrenc's "Thèmes et Variations" cycles. Louise Farrenc was one of the most respected pianists, composers, and pedagogues on the Parisian music scene of her time and earned the admiration of Robert Schumann. Her "Thèmes et Variations" cycles are considered among her major piano works. On this album, Farrenc draws inspiration from the famous bel canto operas of Bellini and Donizetti, as well as from the popular melodies and dances that could be heard in the fashionable salons of 19th-century Paris. Maria Stratigou continues her acclaimed exploration of Farrenc's complete piano works. She studied at the Athens Conservatoire, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and the Royal Northern College of Music, where she completed her doctoral thesis entitled "Aspects of interpretation of the piano études of Louise Farrenc." She is currently a Lecturer (Performance) at the University of Sheffield. Stratigou has given lectures and presentations, accompanied by demonstrations, at numerous international conferences on this subject. She has performed throughout Europe and has received many prestigious awards.