Louis Moreau Gottschalk(1829-1869)
"Piano Music"
Cecile Licad, piano
Recorded October 2001
Naxos 8.559145 [75:08]

This new disc of Gottschalk's piano music is a stunning display from
Cecile Licad.  Although Alan Marks on Nimbus and Philip Martin on Hyperion
have given us fine interpretations of the music of America's first piano
virtuoso, Licad goes to the top with vital and energy-charged readings
conveying a young country salivating at the prospect of more discoveries
and acquisitions.  From my perspective, the U.S.  has always been a
country with the motto - "we want more", and Licad brings out this feature
exceptionally.  Licad is on the hunt, while Marks and Martin are
consolidating their gains.

Do consider the new Gottschalk disc, because Gottschalk is what the U.S.
was all about in its first hundred years.  His music transcends the
typical categories and so do the Licad interpretations.

Don Satz
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