Album Notes

HAYDN DICKENSON's CD 'EAST' showcases the works of London based German Composer, Pianist and Teacher Peter Feuchtwanger. The repertoire on the CD, all for solo Piano, is inspired exclusively by Eastern folk and art music. Extraordinarily inventive use of Piano sonority, texture and pedalling are used to suggest Arabic, Indian and other Eastern instruments, styles and scales.

Included on the album are the substantial Variations on an Eastern Folk Tune, that won the International Viotti Competition in 1959. Works by Feuchtwanger have been performed and occasionally recorded before - there was an early collaboration with Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar - but EAST is the first release devoted entirely to his music.

During the 1990’s Haydn studied with Peter who became his principal influence and mentor. ‘Encountering Peter and his compostions in 1991 brought about profound musical and personal changes in me. Whatever exotic timbre Feuchtwanger seeks to develop through his own unique compositional alchemy, his sense of texture and sonority is unerringly suggestive. From this deeply human music there emanates a sense of meditative calm.’ Haydn’s performances of Feuchtwanger’s works have been described in the music press as “revelations of supreme pianistic virtuosity”.

The CD has had exceptionally strong reviews in the music press:
'The CD, in which Dickenson performs the works with aplomb...its release is an event to be celebrated.' (Malcolm Miller in MUSIC AND VISION - www.mvdaily.com)
'EAST, the first release from the Music Chamber label, entirely of Peter Feuchtwanger's solo piano music played by Haydn Dickenson, is thoroughly recommended.' (Robert Matthew-Walker in MUSICAL OPINION, Britain's oldest Classical magazine)

The CD has an above average selling price for which you get 26 beautifully recorded tracks with 60 minutes of original music (unavailable elsewhere), and an eight page booklet with extensive notes on the compositions.

Haydn Dickenson was born in 1961 in Hertfordshire, UK - where he still lives, dividing his time between his home there and another in the Languedoc, Southern France. Alongside the standard repertory, he is passionate about promoting lesser known works of established composers, as well as many that are under-exposed. His performances have gained him acclaim across Europe and on international radio. More about the artist can be found at www.Haydndickenson.co.uk

Despite a musically prodigious childhood and an early brilliant career as a Concert Pianist, Peter Feuchtwanger decided early to concentrate on composition and teaching. Born in Munich, Feuchtwanger spent his childhood in Israel and later in Europe his teachers included Paul Müller, Lennox Berkeley and Dr. Hans Heimler. In addition to immersing himself in the counterpoint of Palestrina, Feuchtwanger undertook intensive studies in Arabic and Indian Music. He teaches his 'natural' piano technique to many celebrated concert pianists at his London home. More about Peter can be found at his website: http://www.peter-feuchtwanger.de/english/startenglish.html