Reicha Rediscovered, Vol. 1 Ivan Ilić

• Antoine Reicha (1770 - 1836): Practische Beispiele:
• 1 Practische Beispiele: No. 20, Harmonie 09:13
• Grande Sonata in C Major:
• 2 Grande Sonata in C Major: I. Allegro moderato 11:54
• 3 Grande Sonata in C Major: II. Adagio 08:17
• 4 Grande Sonata in C Major: III. Finale capriccio. Allegro 06:16
• Practische Beispiele:
• 5 Practische Beispiele: No. 7, Capriccio 04:55
• Piano Sonata in F Major "Variations on a Theme by Mozart":
• 6 Piano Sonata in F Major "Variations on a Theme by Mozart": I. Theme. Andante 10:01
• 7 Piano Sonata in F Major "Variations on a Theme by Mozart": II. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio 04:23
• 8 Piano Sonata in F Major "Variations on a Theme by Mozart": III. Finale. Rondeau 04:25
• Practische Beispiele:
• 9 Practische Beispiele: No. 4, Fantaisie sur un seul accord 04:10
• Études dans le genre fugué, Op. 97:
• 10 Études dans le genre fugué, Op. 97: No. 1, Poco andante 02:23
• Total Runtime 01:05:57

Info for Reicha Rediscovered, Vol. 1

The Serbian-American Paris-based pianist Ivan Ilić has signed a new multi-album recording contract with Chandos Records, following internationally acclaimed recordings of works by Godowsky and Feldman. His first project on the label is a series devoted to the solo piano works of the Czech composer Antoine Reicha, a contemporary and lifelong friend of Beethoven.

Although best known for his contributions to the repertoire for wind quintet, Reicha wrote vast quantities of solo piano music, most of which has never been recorded. The manuscripts, preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, were published only recently.

Offering premiere recordings of the Grande Sonate in C​ major, the Sonata in F major, and three excerpts from Practische Beispiele, this first volume confirms Reicha as an authoritative, singular voice, whose piano works complement and enrich our understanding of Haydn and Beethoven. Volume 1 is a coproduction of Chandos, RTS (Swiss Radio), and the Palazzetto Bru Zane – Centre de Musique Romantique Française in Venice.

“... Performances are glorious. Ivan Ilić’s playing exudes technical brilliance and warmth in equal measures; the dominant impression is of a pianist keen to share this extraordinary music with a wider public. The affection is palpable. Chandos’s rich sound is impressive, and further volumes are promised. A winner.” (Graham Rickson, theartsdesk)

“..The protagonist of this fascinating journey is the pianist Ivan Ilić, who besides demonstrating a confident mastery of demanding writing, displays an appropriate expressive sensitivity and a clear, sparkling sound. This is especially true in the “Grande Sonate en Ut”, where in the development section the uncommon dramatic value of the writing is fully able to emerge, revealing not just the performer's ability, but above all the high quality of a music which is full of surprises (equally in the last movement, marked "Finale - Allegro capriccio").” (Claudio Bolzan, Musica magazine, Italy)

“... Ilić is a sensitive, thoughtful and conscientious pianist and this project is an entirely worthy one...” (Patrick Rucker, Gramophone magazine)