One of the most challenging masterpieces for piano by legendary pianist and composer Leopold Godowsky. This is a great, epic work recorded on this label by Polish Canadian pianist Adam Aleksander.
Critics have hailed Adam Aleksander's playing as having "rare finesse...gorgeous sonority and nimble fingers...generous of feeling, mood and tonal resources" (Cleveland Plain Dealer); "(Aleksander) is a consummate pianist...outstanding artist" (Miami Herald); having "phenomenal technique, which allows him to achieve extremely musical ends" (Byron Belt, Newshouse News Service); "(Aleksander) is one of the great artists of the city and promises to become one of the greatest pianists..." (Daniel Fernandez, El Nuevo Herald), "...exquisite...subtlety and grace...fire and brimstone...rare depth and substance...introspective... exhilarating!" (Pat Leitch, Coral Gables Gazette), "Aleksander gave a staggering display of his powers at the keyboard" (Artsmart, Durban, South Africa),),"...one of the greatest pianists of his generation..." (Ruch Muzyczny, Warsaw, Poland), "...Aleksander gave a staggering display of his powers at the keyboard. These are among the most difficult piano pieces ever written... (he) produced a breathtaking barrage of double octaves, dangerous leaps and skips, and rapid runs and chords, all this done with the utmost control and poise. A wonderful performance." (Michael Green, Artsmart, Durban, South Africa)
Born in Edmonton, Canada, Adam Aleksander has been performing to the acclaim of audiences worldwide since his debut with orchestra at the age of fourteen with the Chopin Piano Concerto in E Minor. He has studied with Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Regina Smendzianka at the Chopin Academy in Warsaw, Ivan Davis at University of Miami (where he earned his doctorate) and Jim Bonn at the University of Southern California. He has performed at festivals in Tokyo, Tours, Atami, Orford, Quebec, Interlochen, Michigan, Cleveland, Miami, Slupsk as well as Antonin, Poland.
He has received top prizes in over nineteen piano competitions, including international competitions in Barcelona, Paris, Salerno, Miami, Edmonton and Palm Beach, and has received prizes for his recordings in competitions in Austin, Texas and Calgary, Canada. In addition, he has been awarded grants from The Canada Council and The Alberta Heritage Trust Fund.
Adam Aleksander has made television, CD, and radio recordings and has performed in Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Poland, South Africa, Scotland, Brazil, Ecuador, Canada and the U.S.
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