Music By My Friends

Bennett Lerner (piano), Christopher Berg (piano), Chester Biscardi (piano)

Catalog #: TROY0695-96
Release Date: October 1, 2004
Format: Digital
Instrumental

Bennett Lerner was born in Boston in 1944 and currently lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He is a well-known performer of contemporary music and has premiered many pieces by major composers. In 1985, he performed the Copland Piano Concerto with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic in honor of the composer's 85th birthday. The program was broadcast nationally on Live From Lincoln Center. Lerner was Copland's chosen soloist. His primary teachers were Claudio Arrau and Robert Helps, among others. Lerner received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from City University of New York in October, 2001, in piano performance and music history. Mr. Lerner writes: "Throughout my career I have had many close friends who were composers. Many of them wrote pieces for me, some of which I played in their world premiere performances, some of which I played many times, some of which I played only once, and some of which I played for the first time during the world tour of MUSIC BY MY FRIENDS in September-November, 2003. This recording is made up in large part of those pieces. In addition, it includes other works by my composer-friends." Comments from composers include Roger Zahab: "Your recordings are truly wonderful! I feel that you have done a magnificent thing for all of us. I wouldn't change a thing."; Tison Street: "The performances are absolutely stellar...Your performance of my Poem is just the best!..."; Donald Richie: "Your recording of your friends' music is your finest yet, and the relaxed beauty you bring to my little pieces is wonderful...."

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Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Midday Thoughts Aaron Copland Bennett Lerner, piano
The Earth's Jig Roger Zahab Bennett Lerner, piano
Ossessione Christopher Berg Bennett Lerner, piano
Hommage à Fauré Robert Helps Bennett Lerner, piano
Restoration Christopher Berg Bennett Lerner, piano
Poem (If by Chance) Tison Street Bennett Lerner, piano
Manic Etude Christopher Berg Bennett Lerner, piano
Incitation to Desire Chester Biscardi Bennett Lerner, piano
Montparnasse! Bienvenue! Christopher Berg Bennett Lerner, piano, Christopher Berg, piano
The Room Donald Richie Bennett Lerner, piano
Mestiere Chester Biscardi Bennett Lerner, piano
Nel giardinetto della villa Chester Biscardi Bennett Lerner, piano, Chester Biscardi, piano
Tango-Meditation Christopher Berg Bennett Lerner, piano
Jazzy Aaron Copland Bennett Lerner, piano

Reviews

  • "...all in all, this is a splendid collection of new music..."

    – Bangkok Post

  • "...this disc is worthwhile as a survey of less familiar....composers in the American neoclassical tradition."

    – American Record Guide

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.