专辑简介

Two accomplished piano virtuosos join forces in this album of ‘Piano Portraits, Vol. 2’ to add artistic luster to a collection of musical gems. Celius Dougherty studied at the University of Minnesota and in New York, while Vincenz Ruzicka, educated at the University of Chicago and in Europe made his debut at the age of thirteen as solo pianist with the Chicago Symphony. Their sensitively attuned teamwork has been widely lauded by critics throughout this nation and numerous other countries. In this album, they run the gamut of pianistic bravura in brilliant portrayals of well-loved concert pieces. Vivacious is the word for Fledermaus Polka by Johan Strauss, wherein some lively fireworks issue from the twin piano keyboards. In the folk-melody vein, Zortzico, the colorful Basque dance, emerges as a flavorful selection in five-eight rhythm, made especially fascinating with its heavily accented second beat of every measure. The two pianos merge into rich orchestral sounds for España, the dynamic Spanish Rhapsody by Alexis Chabrier. Here the lush, extravagant beauty of Spain unfolds at the bidding of Dougherty and Ruzicka. It is interesting to note that Mozart and his Italian adversary, Muzio Clementi, were the first to take part in an official dual-piano performance... a contest of skill... held at the court of Emperor Josef II. Mozart wrote perhaps a dozen major pieces for two pianos or four hands at one piano. The Andante, which is performed here with masterful lyricism, is a basically classic work but generously tinted by warm, romantic nuances. ‘The Father of Modern Music,’ Johann Sebastian Bach, is also represented in ‘Piano Portraits, Vol. 2’ by his dignified, solemn Sheep May Safely Graze, poignantly interpreted, and to add light-hearted gaiety, there are Strauss’ galloping Tritsch-Tratsch, Arensky’s Waltz and MacDowell’s Rigaudon.