
Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes recently released a new album on the Sony Classic label featuring the most substantial piano collection by Antonin Dvořák. Leif states "I have to say I think this is the great forgotten cycle of the 19th century piano music. Maybe those are big words, but I do feel that."
The 13 postcards for piano that make up Dvořák’s Poetic Tone Pictures were written in the Spring of 1889, and signal a shift in style from a composer moving away from formal constructions towards a more free, inspired aesthetic. I had the pleasure of discussing with Leif how these works show an entirely different side of Dvořák, mostly known for his symphonies and string quartets.
Yours in good music,
Mike Goldberg
Classical Host, VPM Music