Khaikosru Sorabji (1892?1988) is one of the most enigmatic and controversial 20?th century composers. Largely self?taught, he chose his own way, never fitting into any school or movement. His style is highly idiosyncratic, inspired by late Romantics like Busoni and Szymanowski. Characteristic of his piano music are the enormous proportions and textural density of his works, some of them lasting several hours in performance, taxing the performer and audience to the utmost.
This new 2 CD set presents the first recording of Sorabji’s Symphonic Nocturne. Its style is free and improvisatory, featuring many expansive and virtuoso passages. As the interpreter Lukas Huisman says in the booklet: “The work is like a musical evening walk during which the composer invites us to wander around between musical ideas, reminiscences and associations. And not all nightly thoughts are peaceful or quiet ones…”.
Belgian pianist Lukas Huisman (born in 1987) specialises in the performance of seldom played contemporary piano music, by a.o. Ferneyhough, Finnissy, Xenakis, Messiaen, Sorabji. His grasp on these complex works is remarkable, his technical command astounding and his musical intuition spot?on.