Leo Ornstein Piano Music: Suicide on an Airplane / La Chinoise / Poems of 1917, Op. 41 / Arabesques (9), Op. 42 / Piano Sonata No. 8
Leo Ornstein is one of music's originals. He died in 2002, purportedly at 109 years of age, and he was composing almost to the end. His music is an odd mixture of atmospheric impressionism, acerbic Russian Futurism, savagely powerful poundings, and delicate filigree--prime material for Marc-André Hamelin's virtuosic pianism. Ornstein had a penchant for quirky titles, such asSuicide in an Airplane. Written in 1919--not, as one might think, after September 11, 2001--Suicideweirdly captures a contemporary mood with its ominous opening suggesting the hum of an engine, and the chaos that follows. The short works range from the avant-garde eruption of Danse sauvage, to a picturesque sound impression of San Francisco's Chinatown. The Arabesques are a set of diverse miniatures, some impressionistic, some recalling Scriabin; others are concise étudelike tests of pianistic prowess. The big work on the program is the half-hour long Sonata, completed when Ornstein was in his late 90s. It's full of bold harmonies, slashing attacks, gorgeous moments of lyrical repose, and off-center humor. This is fascinating music brilliantly played.--Dan Davis