Click on the jacket covers for further information on each disc (tracklisting, jacket notes, audio samples and reviews).
The Schulz- Beuthen and Goetz Project
I had never heard of Heinrich Schulz- Beuthen before, and I did not know the music of Hermann Goetz at all. This project was generated by Guild (www.guildmusic.com) as they had been asked to find a pianist to record these pieces. The manuscripts had been lost in the fire-bombing of Dresden during WWII, but the Zentralbibliothek Zürich had first editions. I agreed to have a look at the scores, and happily sight-read through the lot. I was charmed and impressed by the music and thought the repertoire definitely merited a recording. Thus the project was born!
So who are these composers? Malcolm MacDonald wrote excellent sleeve notes for both discs, and you can find information on Heinrich Schulz-Beuthen and Hermann Goetz by clicking on the Sleeve Notes links. I believe you will be surprised by the music, as I was. A wonderful repertoire to explore….
The biggest piece on these discs is the Alhambra Sonata by Schulz-Beuthen. My goodness, it evokes the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain, with runs, trills, lush harmonies and expansive sonorities. The two Goetz sets are great concert works. They require an advanced technique, and are a delight to play. Reminiscent, perhaps, of Schumann, these are neatly composed pieces that fit the hand and work very well as a whole.