Simon Smith MacMillan Piano Works

James MacMillan

1. In angustiis... I

2. Birthday Present

3. Barncleup die

4. Lumen Christi

Piano Sonata

5. I. Adagio

6. II. Grandioso ed affretando

7. III. Adagio

8. For Ian

9. A Cecilian Variation for JFK

10. Angel

Stuart MacRae

Piano Sonata

11. I. Variation

12. II. Erosion/Glacial

Simon Smith, piano

Far less angular than Scottish politico-religious contemporary composer MacMillan's entrance piece, the dark modal "The Confession of Isobel Gowdie", these distinct piano works, the entire collection of his composition for piano at the time of release, draw on a broad palette of emotion, from the equally dark and ponderous opener "In angustiis... I", through the whimsical contrasts of "Birthday Present" which uses and reinvents the Happy Birthday tune, and the introverted "Barncleupedie" with all the enchanting poise and fragility of jazz pianist / composer Bill Evans, to the sketch-like fluffy lightness of the Scheherezade-esque "Lumen Christi". However, all seem to be unfinished thoughts, married by thematic plump bassiness and even Jerry Goldsmith-ical groovy bridges, they remain initial feelings that don't lead anywhere, or get developed as far as their natural conslusions. For fullness we have to wait until the complete Piano Sonata that quickly follows, and here we are treated to MacMillan in full jazzy acerbic flow. After that "For Ian" calms us with its warm sing-song melodies, not unlike the return to the womb in Strauss' "Tod und Verkl rung". Intellectually difficult and darkly concentrated pieces played with pizazz and sensitivity by the youthful Smith. Definitely worth a listen.