Lucas Richman: Variations
Vijay Venkatesh (piano)
Lucas Richman has always considered the piano an integral part of his life. He considers his music for solo piano a creative extension of himself as an individual. The works here are piano adaptations of orchestral or chamber works but they all share the common genesis point of having evolved from sketches made originally at the piano. In addition to composing, Richman is a noted conductor and currently serves as music director of the Bangor Symphony and was formerly music director of the Knoxville Symphony. His music has been performed by more than 200 orchestras across the U.S. and he has received numerous commissions from orchestras and chamber ensembles. Pianist Vijay Venkatesh has been recognized on three continents as a pianist with profound musicianship and has been a top prizewinner in numerous competitions He is a graduate of the Colburn School, USC Thornton, and Indiana University.
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Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Reindeer Variations | Lucas Richman | Vijay Venkatesh (piano) |
| Umbrellaphant Variations | Lucas Richman | Vijay Venkatesh (piano) |
| Variations for Giora | Lucas Richman | Vijay Venkatesh (piano) |
| Music Can Make Your Life Complete | Lucas Richman | Vijay Venkatesh (piano) |
| Variations at the Barre | Lucas Richman | Vijay Venkatesh (piano) |
| Zapped Taps | Lucas Richman | Vijay Venkatesh (piano) |
Reviews
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There is a sort of satisfyingly symmetrical aspect to these pieces, in that although many of them are piano arrangements of orchestral or chamber works, the sketches for the originals were worked upon by the composer at a piano. This instrument is of central importance to Lucas Richman (who as a conductor has been Bangor Symphony’s music director since 2010 and who was the Knoxville Symphony’s music director 2003–15). As a composer, his music has been widely performed in the United States.…In the Reindeer Variations, it is a rather nice touch that each of Santa’s reindeers gets its own variation. The theme comes from Richman’s one-act musical A Christmas Wish, in which a young girl is inducted into the true meaning of Christmas via a special wish granted by Mr. Claus himself. The music is delightful, the melody expansive and seasonal.…The ending is hilarious. After hearing that, it is amazing to think that neither Richman in his composition mode, nor Venkatesh, have made it to the Fanfare Archive before this. A work for narrator and orchestra based on Jack Prelutsky’s Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant, Richman created a piano version shorn of narration, although movement titles remain.…Richman clearly has a rich sense of humor, something difficult to bring off in the clinical environment of a recording studio, and yet that is exactly what Venkatesh does here. The remaining pieces are much shorter. Taking his musical basis from the surname of klezmer clarinetist Giora Feidman, the Variations for Gloria, originally for clarinet and piano, begins in a very different fashion, altogether more serious…Venkatesh is once more superb. Originally written for educational concerts with orchestra, Variations at the Barre teaches young people about the language of the ballet.…It is the crispness of Venkatesh’s performance that appeals. Finally, Zapped Taps is another symphonic piece written with dance in mind, in particular Alfred Desio’s electronic tap-dancing system, TapTronics.…All these works receive their world premiere recordings here. The sound is excellent, allowing appreciation of Venkatesh’s myriad gradations of tone. Lucas Richman’s music is richly varied, skillful, and fun; but really I want to hear more of Venkatesh’s sterling pianism.…
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