Riu / Tavener / Part / Sculthorpe / Janacek - Piano Icons for the 21st Century [CD]

Piano Icons for the 21st Century' is an exceptionally performed collection of contemporary piano works by Pärt, Janácek, Sculthorpe and Mompou, plus a world premiere recording of Tavener's Ypakoë. Originally released in 2000 'Piano Icons for the 21st Century' has been re-issued as part of Linn's ECHO series which offers a second chance to enjoy the best of the label's award-winning catalogue. The recording was widely acclaimed upon it's release and named a Gramophone 'Critics' Choice': 'my disc of 2000 is without hesitation Elena Riu's extraordinarily fine CD.' John Tavener was inspired to write his first major solo work for piano in over twenty years after hearing Elena play. She premiered Ypakoë, a series of meditations on the death of Jesus, at the City of London Festival. The recital also includes Janácek's in the Mist, an intensely personal and darkly hued cycle, plus an intriguing collection of miniatures by three composers who, in her view, are on a similar wavelength: Peter Sculthorpe, the Catalan composer Federico Mompou, and Arvo Pärt. As a leading exponent of the Spanish piano repertoire, Riu has championed the music of Mompou around the world and gave the Mompou Centenary Concert at Wigmore Hall, London. Hispano-American pianist Elena Riu is an inspiring artist renowned for the intimacy and lyricism of her playing. A born communicator, Riu's enthusiasm and charm create a unique atmosphere in the concert hall, captivating audiences throughout the world. The haunting sensitivity and strength of her playing, an innate liveliness together with a vibrant combination of poetry and lyricism and unique programming flair has placed Riu at the forefront of a new generation of British artists. Riu has toured extensively and has performed at Montpellier Festival, Walt Disney Hall and festivals in Kenya, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Scandinavia and France.