Kevin Bowyer - The Best of Kevin Bowyer: Discover Organ Masterworks of the 20th Century

This recording offers the listener an interconnected view of romantic and postromantic repertoire for two pianos, much of it unknown and even unpublished, until now. The best-known work here is Brahms� Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56b but there are other works included that deserve wider circulation and exposure. The two sets of variations by Carl Reinecke (1824-1910) are exquisite examples of 2-piano writing and exhibit attractive traits of the Leipzig School, at times providing strong echoes of Schumann and J.S. Bach, quite overtly in his Variations on a Sarabande by J.S. Bach. Likewise, the two sets of previously unpublished works by Julius R�ntgen (1855-1932), whose early works are well-rooted in that same Leipzig School, reveal a mastery of composition in the 2-piano genre, an area in which he is currently unknown. R�ntgen�s chamber music, concerti, symphonies, and his solo piano music are now becoming better known. However, this recording presents R�ntgen�s debut as a composer in the 2-piano medium. In our opinion, his success is as astounding as the obscurity of these works is bewildering.