Mariann Marczi - SPLINTERS: 20th Century Hungarian Work for Piano

1. 01. György Kurtág – Splinters, Op. 6:d – I. Molto agitato
   
2. 02. György Kurtág – Splinters, Op. 6:d – II. Sostenuto
   
3. 03. György Kurtág – Splinters, Op. 6:d – III. Vivo – Prestissimo – Vivo
   
4. 04. György Kurtág – Splinters, Op. 6:d – IV. in memoriam Ştefan Romaşcanu. Mesto Pesante, strascinando
   
5. 05. György Ligeti – Fém (Etudes, Book II)
   
6. 06. Zoltán Kodály – Méditation sur un motif de Claude Debussy
   
7. 07. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – I. Lento
   
8. 08. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – II. Complainte Székely. Rubato, parlando
   
9. 09. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – III. il pleut dans mon cœur comme il pleut sur la ville (Verlaine). Allegretto malinconico
   
10. 10. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – IV. Épitaphe. Rubato
    
11. 11. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – V. Tranquillo
    
12. 12. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – VI. Chanson populaire Székely. Poco rubato
    
13. 13. Zoltán Kodály – Seven Pieces for Piano – VII. Rubato
    
14. 14. László Lajtha – (… de l’automne et du champ…) from Contes Op. 2, No. 10
    
15. 15. Béla Bartók – Trois Burlesques pour piano, Op. 8:c – I. (querelle). Presto
    
16. 16. Béla Bartók – Trois Burlesques pour piano, Op. 8:c – II. (un peu gris…). Allegretto
    
17. 17. Béla Bartók – Trois Burlesques pour piano, Op. 8:c – III. Molto vivo, capriccioso
    
18. 18. Zoltán Jeney – Ricercare
    
19. 19. Zoltán Jeney – Arthur Rimbaud in the Desert
    
20. 20. Gyula Csapó – The Ultimate Goal
    

MARIANN MARCZI – SPLINTERS: 20th Century Hungarian Work for Piano

Ligeti, Kurtág, Bartók, Kodály, Lajtha, Jeney, Csapó

Pianist Mariann Marczi performs a very personal program of 20th century works from her native Hungary, featuring works that form two pillars at either ends of the last century, grouped between 1907 and 1918 and from 1976 to 1989. Like pylons, these two blocks of compositional styles and techniques are linked by a hidden and complex network of bridges arpeggios that at times imitate the sounds of the harp, dulcimer or far-away bells, a strong French influence, be it biographical, musical and frequent references to francophone poetry, and a common tendency towards the transcendental. Mariann has worked together with all of the living composers on her disc, and authoritatively carries out their intentions, while bringing to light the subtle nuances across the interesting and varied landscape of last century’s Hungarian music.

Booklet in English, German, and Hungarian.
Program notes by Hugh Collins Rice.

Reviews

“… an original album without a single superfluous note. Solo piano in Hungarian is a world unto itself, a world apart.”
Sinfini Music – Norman Lebrecht / 2 December 2013

5 STARS
“Each note, each pause in her playing is mature, and nothing happens by chance. The sobbing of Kodály’s Székely keserves is moving, the sarcastic humor of Bartók’s second burlesque is diverting…”
Gramofon – Ilina Kovács / December 2013

“… earthiness and otherworldliness magnificently conveyed by Marczi… Marczi’s quickfire articulation is extraordinary… As is usual with Odradek, presentation and production are immaculate. A fabulous, ear-stretching disc.”
The Arts Desk – Graham Rickson / 18 January 2014

“… listen to her marvellous differentiation between the steady staccato left hand and the edgy legato right-hand line… and the detailed integrity of Marczi’s interpretations.”
Gramophone – Jed Distler / 2 December 2013

“… Marczi’s sensitivity, astonishing openness and clarity… this CD merits high praise both for its exposé of modern day composers and Marczi’s nuanced, intelligent interpretations.”
Music Web International – Lucy Jeffery / 14 February 2014

5 STARS
“…a pianist of fine, sensitive touch… this is a wonderfully intelligent disc, beautifully played.”
BBC Music Magazine – Ivan Hewett / March 2014

**** EXCELENTE
“Marczi has chosen wisely and carefully a repertory of shining, curious examples, some playful, others startling, of the music for piano of her compatriots.”
Ritmo – Inés Ruiz Artola / March 2014

“All of this music has been central to Mariann Marczi’s repertory, a fact which is unmistakable in these authoritative and penetrating performances.”
Expedition Audio – Paul Ballyk / 16 March 2014

“…plenty of skill and wit… played vividly and with rhythmical precision…”
MusikTexte – Hartmut Lücke / May 2014

“Mariann Marczi’s equally captivating and homogeneous programme of Hungarian piano music of the 20th century already combines all the qualities that are decisive for this recording: clarity, sharp contours and aphoristic brevity.”
Klassik.com - Sebastian Rose / 20 December 2016

“… an altogether consistent recital, very well played.”
Musique classique & Co - Thierry Vague / 25 December 2016

“… Odradek Records has become one of the most distinguished addresses for exciting and, above all, unconventional (piano) music… The pianist Mariann Marczi from Hungary has to be highly praised… Here we have a purist recording with a clear concept.”
Piano News - Burkhard Schäfer / September 2015