This exciting debut recital disc of Roger Wright’s was recorded “live” during his memorable appearances at the 2000 Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia. The young Texas pianist became an unwitting cause célébre when he was eliminated after the competition’s Quarter Final Stage. He had quickly garnered a following not only in the auditorium of the Seymour Centre’s York Theatre but also across the country, as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation was broadcasting the competition “live” to a national radio audience and by worldwide web cast. Wright’s elimination brought a host of telephone calls into the radio network, creating debate over the competition and drawing him vocal support from, among others, the esteemed Australian pianist, Michael Kieran Harvey. In response to this exceptional reaction, ABC Classics issued this disc compiled from Roger Wright’s performances across all three stages of the competition in which he participated. Wright’s recording of Between Five Bells from this CD earned composer Peter Sculthorpe the Australian Performing Rights Association’s (APRA) Award for the Most Performed Contemporary Classical Composition of 2001. REVIEWS: "CD of the year, in my view, is a recently released ABC Classics recording of pianist Roger Wright." - The West Australian "Wright has been impressive for his commanding technique and even more for his sensitivity to piano sound and general musical intelligence…[His] performances of Liebermann...and Rzewski were absolutely riveting. But Wright also possesses the most liquid, romantic piano tone imaginable..." - Calgary Herald "Roger Wright played…with a technique equal to Marc-Andre Hamelin's, a charismatic presence and a fine musical mind to boot…He stole the show." - Clavier Magazine "Wright is indeed a phenomenal pianist, but he is also a profoundly insightful and imaginative artist who is fully aware that along with a virtuoso technique goes an awesome responsibility: making music. Indeed, what concerns him are not just the notes, but what goes on in between them." - The St. Petersburg Times "...As with any competition, there are stars and one that shone resplendently was the 26-year-old American Pianist Roger Wright. His diet wasn't one of the competition standards, but even when he did choose to play pieces frequently aired in competitions - a Chopin B flat minor Sonata of Rubinstein-like nobility, for instance - they were newly lit, magnificently unfolded. His choice of American contemporary music (by Fabregas) and his Schumann and Haydn hovered around the elegant and rarefied worlds of Kempff, Haskil and Lupu." International Record Review Mr. Wright resides in Los Angeles where he enjoys performing, teaching, collaborating and composing his own music. Web Site: www.wright-sounds.com.