The H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932) Homepage is at:
is profiled at AfriClassical.com,
which features a comprehensive Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma,http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com
Thomas Otten: H. Leslie Adams: Piano Etudes, Part II
Albany Records & Videmus Records, Troy 1519
H. Leslie Adams: Piano Etudes, Part II is performed
by pianist Thomas Otten. It is © 2014 by Albany Records,
The liner notes give this introduction to the composer:
“H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932, Cleveland, Ohio), composer of
the opera Blake, has worked in all media, including
symphony, ballet, chamber, choral, instrumental, vocal
solo, and keyboard. Adams’ works have been performed
by the Prague Radio Symphony, Iceland Symphony,
Buffalo Philharmonic, and Indianapolis Symphony, and
commissioned by the Cleveland Orchestra, Ohio Chamber
Orchestra, and Cleveland Chamber Symphony, among
others. Metropolitan Opera artists have performed his
vocal works internationally.
The H. Leslie Adams Homepage is at:
http://www.hleslieadams.com H. Leslie Adams (b.
http://www.hleslieadams.com H. Leslie Adams (b.
1932) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a
comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com
The composer writes in the liner notes: “This project
was a real labor of love, crafted to share joy with music
lovers. It also filled a void in my catalog of works: prior
to the Etudes, my piano music consisted only of Three
Preludes and Contrasts for Piano. Created with the
concert pianist’s repertoire in mind, these etudes can be
played by pianists at various levels of development.
They are studies of varying styles, moods, tonalities, and
thematic natures - each providing different technical
challenges, while expressing my personal sense of
beauty.”
Adams explains that the concept of the Etudes took shape
in his mind before the music was composed: “The vision
of the work came to me before any writing began, namely
twenty-six pieces, with each generally being in a different
twenty-six pieces, with each generally being in a different
key and mood.” “The final three etudes are settings of
pop songs with lyrics I wrote many years ago - thus, they
are ‘songs without words.’”
Thomas Otten writes that the Piano Etudes were
introduced to him by a colleague on the faculty of the
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Louise Toppin:
“She was creating a festival at UNC in March of 2012,
celebrating the 25th anniversary of VIDEMUS, an
organization dedicated to promoting the works of
under-represented groups such as African American and
women composers.” “As one unfamiliar with Leslie’s
music, I found myself in for a real treat! His style,
though classically rooted, incorporates strong elements
of jazz and pop music, giving it a crossover vibe that’s
most engaging...” It’s highly melodic and gorgeously
crafted in terms of sonority and texture, invoking a sound
world where Rachmaninoff meets Burt Bacharach, so to
speak. These engaging pieces are enjoyable and
rewarding to play, and people respond strongly to their
inherent warmth and depth of emotion.”
The Etudes taken from popular songs composed by H.
Leslie Adams are No. 12 in F Major (3:25), No. 13 in A Flat
Major (6:53) and No. 14 in C Major (5:34), the final three
pieces on the recording. However, we have found all of the
works tuneful, melodic and enjoyable. We find the listening
experience rewarding whether we listen to one, a few or all
of the Etudes in one hearing. In our opinion, Thomas
Otten’s playing and the composing of H. Leslie Adams make
Piano Etudes, Part II, Albany Records & Videmus Records,
Troy 1519, a winning CD.
Disclosure: A review copy of this recording was provided
by the record label.
Comment by email:
Bill, many thanks! hla [H. Leslie Adams]
Comment by email:
Bill, many thanks! hla [H. Leslie Adams]
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