M K Ciurlionis: Complete Piano Music Vol 3

This, the third recording in the series, introduces piano works from early and late compositional periods of Ciurlionis. The beginning of the recording is devoted to the latter period. This sequence is grounded on the argument that the early works of the composer would be better understood and comprehended after familiarisation with the mature Ciurlionis style, since they point to the creative strivings of the composer. Early works are primarily a mirror of the cultural surrounding of a composer, exhibiting formation of a more personal style. Nevertheless, these youthful works already anticipate certain tendencies and elements of musical language of later Ciurlionis. They also frequently delve into the melodic vocabulary of Lithuanian folk music, which with time permeated every layer of the composer s music.
Nikolaus Lahusen was born in Bremen in 1960 and grew up in Mexico. His artistic development was supported by Edith Picht-Axenfeld, Christoph Eschenbach and Bruno Leonardo Gelber. Counted among the leading pianists of his generation, Lahusen has given concerts worldwide and has appeared in important concert halls (Philharmonie in Munich, Musikhalle in Hamburg, Beethovenhalle in Bonn, etc.) and with leading orchestras (European Community Chamber Orchestra, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Nacional de Argentina, etc.). For Celestial Harmonies, he has previously recorded Orff-Schulwerk, Volume 3: Piano Music , The Complete Works of M.K. Ciurlionis, Vols. 1-3, Franz Schubert Sonata B Flat Major D. 960, 3 Klavierstücke D. 946 and Franz Schubert Sonata D Major D. 850, 34 Valses Sentimentales D. 779.