Hahn: Le rossignol eperdu (The Bewildered Nightingale) - world premiere recording
Reynaldo Hahn led a colorful life as boulevardier, friend of Proust, music critic, pianist, singer, conductor, and composer. He's best remembered for his many songs and for his operetta,Ciboulette, which has retained its popularity among his 17 stage works. His piano music hasn't fared as well, so it's good to haveLe Rossignol Éperdu, a collection of 53 miniatures (only a handful over three minutes) available in sympathetic performances recorded at age 86 by the master of the Romantic piano, Earl Wild. Wild is known for his virtuosity and poetry, and these salon pieces stress the latter quality in his playing. He captures the simple, unaffected charm of the works, sometimes sounding as if he's improvising on the keyboard--an important reason why he's such a successful interpreter. Wild also succeeds in creating the intimate atmosphere they require, as well as the classic simplicity that links them to the French piano tradition. No one will want to listen to all 53 in one sitting, but taken in chunks of five or six, they make a pleasant appetizer to heavier fare. Warm sound and playing complete the picture.--Dan Davis