American Virtuoso. World Premiere Recordings. James Giles, piano. Lowell Liebermann. Sonata No. 3. Stephen Hough. Suite R-B. Augusta Read Thomas. Four Etudes. Ned rorem. Recalling. C. Curtis-Smith and William Bolcom. Collusions. James Wintle. Balletto. Earl Wild. Jarabe Tapatio "Mexican Hat Dance," arrangement. Liner notes. 2006. Albany Records TROY 860.


American Virtuoso is indeed that—a recording of brilliant pieces mostly by American composers and played by the American virtuoso pianist James Giles. He explains in his liner notes (which quote generously from the composers) that all of the works, aside from the first two etudes by Augusta Read Thomas, were written for and premiered by him. This is also the world-premiere recording of all the works except the Wild arrangement. Giles notes: "This compilation represents a cross section of American piano music written around the turn of the new millennium. The title American Virtuoso refers as much to the music as to its performer and describes how these composers have so idiomatically responded to the challenge of writing for the piano." And while some might think it immodest to refer to oneself as a virtuoso, James Giles, currently on the faculty at Northwestern University, has earned that right. Recorded over a span of three days in 2004, this recording surely ranks as one of his most impressive achievements to date, presenting a wide array of styles in convincing fashion.