Just before lockdown I started writing several piano pieces for four pianist friends. There’s nothing I enjoy more than writing music for my fellow musicians because one can compose a ‘bespoke’ work specifically suited to their particular musical skills. All four pianists had heard some of my music performed during a concert held at a piano course and had subsequently asked me to write a piece for them. This was how my volume of advanced piano music, Simply Driven – 5 Virtuoso Pieces, came to life.

Schott Music published Simply Driven in 2020 and each pianist has played their respective work at various concerts and recitals. Some of the pieces have already been recorded and, earlier this week, Japanese pianist Maiko Mori (pictured above) released a recording of the work I wrote for her called ‘Chasm’. She has also recorded another piece from the set, ‘Frenzy’, and this album represents the premiere recording of both pieces.

The new album, ‘Chasm’ – named after my piece – features a collection of modern Études and blends elements of classical, jazz, rock and techno idioms. Recording label Orchid Classics tells us more:

Hamauzu, Tanaka, and Kapustin’s works are all fresh and engaging, each offering something completely different, and it’s wonderful to be placed in such illustrious company. My studies or études are, in a similar vein to most piano exercises, intended to ‘test’ the pianist or rather help develop further technical skills. ‘Chasm’ is all about large leaps – and they are demanding! Maiko already has all the necessary skills, of course, and she plays the piece with a real understanding of the musical structure and its rather quirky character, and perhaps even more importantly, offers an array of captivating tonal sonority. Written in ternary form, the opening and closing sections of ‘Chasm’ run all around the keyboard, with a slower, intensely dark melodic nocturnal passage sandwiched in the middle. In contrast, ‘Frenzy’ is a study designed to develop sparkling articulation combined with fervid melodic interest and colour.

During the following short film, Maiko explains her musical selections and plays excerpts from many of the pieces, which will hopefully whet your appetite:

Purchase your copy by clicking here.

You can also buy the CD in hardcopy or digital download from many online shops.

Find out more about the score by clicking here.

www.maiko-mori.com