As many of Weinberg's works for solo piano have been virtually unknown until recently, by virtue of the fact that this music survived both Nazism and Communism they would merit further investigation. That Weinberg himself survived Nazism is a feat in and of itself; that he survived as a Jew in an anti-Semitic, artistically and culturally repressive Communist system yet was so prolific is a testament to his compositional dedication and ultimate creativity.

Sonatina Op. 49 is an excellent piece for teaching young students and certainly warrants a worthy place amongst the tried-and-true Sonatinas by Kuhlau and Clementi. Its later revision, Sonata Op. 49bis (included on Vol. 1), and Partita, Op. 54 deserve greater renown amongst pianists of international repute, as they offer tremendous musical and pianistic opportunities. – Allison Brewster Franzetti

"Allison Brewster Franzetti's impassioned and persuasive performance easily holds its own in the select company of Gould, Perahia, Aimard, and Uchida"
– Jed Distler, Classics Today

"Franzetti is a persuasive advocate throughout" – Gramophone Magazine

Weinberg's fraught biography is reflected in many of the piano works which occupied the earlier part of his career. Some exemplify the extreme pressures placed on him to conform to official diktat – a period when he was arrested for 'Jewish bourgeois nationalism' - whilst others reveal the rich inspiration of folkloric music.

The second volume of the complete piano works ranges in date from 1950–55. The Partita, Op. 54 is notable for its alternation of the intimate and the intensely dramatic, whereas the Sonatina, Op. 49 is lyrical, though never straightforward. The Piano Sonata No.4, Op. 56 fuses folk inspiration, rhythmic vivacity and melancholy in a profoundly personal way.

Also Available:

WEINBERG COMPLETE PIANO WORKS • 1 BALLADE • SONATA NO. 1, OP. 5 LULLABY, OP. 1 V SONATA NO. 2, OP. 8 TWO MARZUKAS 'OP. 10' • SONATA OP. 49BIS

Piano Sonata No. 4 in B minor, Op. 56 28:15
14. I. Allegro (08:09)
15. II. Allegro (04:10)
16. III. Adagio (06:26)
17. IV. Allegro (09:30)

* World Première Recording

TOTAL TIME: 57:28

Multiple Grammy® Award Nominee, Allison Brewster Franzetti has received international acclaim from critics and audiences alike for stunning virtuosity and musicality. She has performed with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Long Island Philharmonic, English Sinfonia, City of Prague Philharmonic, Denver Symphony, Colonial Symphony, Queens Symphony, European Women's Orchestra, Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Janàcek Philharmonic, and City of Prague Philharmonic. Solo recitals include critically acclaimed débuts at Merkin Hall, New York and Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires, a special performance at the Grammy® Salute to Classical Music, and concerts throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, Argentina and Japan. An accomplished chamber musician, she has collaborated with renowned composers and performers, including Sir James Galway, John Corigliano, Carlos Franzetti, Lowell Liebermann, David Maslanka, Stephen Paulus, Eugenia Zukerman, Julius Baker and Robert White.

"Franzetti is a persuasive advocate throughout" – Gramophone

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Partita Op. 54 by Mieczyslaw Weinberg

I.  Prelude
II.  Choral https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60au3XS7OuQ
III.  Serenade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443yn0aYdRI
IV.  Sarabande https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWDAC39Ts80
V.  Intermezzo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtjDcsCURT4
VI.  March https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkByWm3aFbc
VII.  Aria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswtOInUTVc
VIII.  Ostinato https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nsF8QVuaSI
IX.  Etude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y84vw7jatig
X.  Canon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJpgoItm9S8