Piano Works

Mari Kodama celebrates Bruckner's 200th birthday with a collection of piano works, most of which are rarely heard. While some, such as the Fantasie, Erinnerung and Stille Betrachtung, reveal the serious symphonist and church composer, the many dances on this album highlight a lighter side of the composer. Overall, listening to his approach to the piano enriches our understanding of this enigmatic genius. Since much of the material comes from sketchbooks, these pieces give us a glimpse into the workshop of this always-searching mind. For Kodama, the Bruckner who emerges in his works is in many ways more interesting than the various clichéd portraits of his life and character. Instead, Kodama attempts to paint a nuanced portrait of Bruckner that gains depth thanks to the original selection and perspective. Mari Kodama is one of the most extraordinary pianists of our time, with an impressive discography on Pentatone including the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven, piano concertos by Loewe and Chopin, Tchaikovsky's ballet suites for piano duet and much more.