George Walker – Complete Piano Works, Vol. 1

‘I first experienced the power of George Walker&rsquols piano music during breakfast on a rainy December morning in Eugene, Oregon. It all began with Piano Sonata No. 5. Something strong called to me and demanded more. A quick online search revealed that there were other great piano works, but no recordings of his piano music in the Naxos catalogue. Within 48 hours, I committed to performing and recording his entire piano music with Naxos. It was truly love at first hearing!’

Alexandre Dossin


George Walker’s unique collection of piano music ranges across his long career. The three sonatas heard here, in this the first of two volumes of Walker’s complete piano works, offer compelling contrasts. Sonata No. 1 is his longest and utilizes folk tunes, No. 2 is darker and unified by tonal relationships, whilst No. 3 displays contrapuntal mastery and translucent elements. Both Spatials and Spektra are atonal – the former athletic and compressed, the latter vivid and colorful. The album opens with Prelude and Caprice – a serene and majestic early work.

Listen to an extract from Piano Sonata No. 2:
IV. Allegretto tranquillo
About the Artist

Brazilian-born pianist Alexandre Dossin has established himself as an internationally acclaimed artist of the first rank. His awards include both the First Prize and the Special Prize at the Martha Argerich International Piano Competition, the Silver Medal at the Maria Callas International Grand Prix, and Third Prize and the Special Prize at the Mozart International Piano Competition. He is professor of piano and chair of keyboard at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, and the artistic director of the James and Marilyn Murdock Piano Institute.

More albums featuring Alexandre Dossin
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‘Alexandre Dossin’s luminous, expansive playing is a great delight from the beginning to the end of this disc.’
Fanfare
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‘Alexandre Dossin surmounts the technical difficulties of these works with aplomb.’
AllMusic.com
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‘These are luscious performances. Dossin is sensitive to every nuance.’
American Record Guide
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‘An eminently enjoyable disc that demands to be heard.’
MusicWeb International


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