“The Handel Variations were written at the request of the Russian pianist Felix Gottlieb. They were to be performed in concert with the Suites by Handel and the Variations on a theme by Handel Op. 24 by Brahms. Denisov rejects both the art of quotation and polystylitism. He regards extraneous elements to his music as providing structural material which comes to the fore both in the imagination and the construction of the work rather than as mere allusions or signs of post-modernism. This material is accepted by the composer not just as a means of going back to a model of the past but as forming part of the flesh and blood of his own system. It might be added that Denisov complicates the matters by endowing the piano tone with a quality influenced by Brahms (particularly in the 4th, 9th, 11th and 17th variations), Beethoven (7th variation) and Chopin (15th variation).” (Jean-Pierre Armengaud)


CD
Jean-Pierre Armengaud, piano
Mandala MAN 4888