Waves: Music by Rameau, Ravel, Alkan

Victory at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in October 2021 turned Bruce Liu into a worldwide sensation. Deutsche Grammophon’s live album of his competition recordings was released to rave reviews the following month, and the Canadian-Chinese pianist pianist became an exclusive DG artist in March 2022. Now Bruce Liu, "a pianist with a captivating musical personality" (Financial Times), has recorded his highly anticipated debut studio album, spanning two centuries of French keyboard music. The Paris-born pianist has taken a historical approach in selecting his repertoire, focusing on three French composers who played a central role in the development of keyboard music between the 18th and early 20th centuries: Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-88) and Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). The album's title reflects both the nature theme that runs throughout the album and Liu's spontaneous style: "The sea is always changing," he notes. "And my approach to the music I play is never fixed."

Since winning the Chopin Competition Bruce Liu has become renowned for his breathtaking, charismatic live performances. Recording an entire studio album therefore posed a different challenge, but one he has relished. “For me, it’s in a studio that you can really make your own puzzle,” he explains. “It’s like making a piece of art, putting everything together.”

Tracklist:

CD 1:
1. Rameau: Gavotte et six doubles, RCT 5/7
2. Alkan: Barcarolle (op. 65, No. 6)
3. Rameau: Les Sauvages, RCT 6/14
4. Ravel: Miroirs, M.43: Noctuelles
5. Ravel: Miroirs, M.43: Oiseaux tristes
6. Ravel: Miroirs, M.43: Une barque sur l'océan
7. Ravel: Miroirs, M.43: Alborada del gracioso
8. Ravel: Miroirs, M.43: La vallée des cloches
9. Alkan: Le Festin d’Ésope (Op. 39, No. 12)
10. Rameau: Les Tendres Plaintes--Rondeau, RCT 3/1
11. Les Cyclopes--Rondeau, RCT 3/8
12. Rameau: Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin, RCT 6 (Menuet I+II)
13. Rameau: La Poule, RCT 6/12
 
CD 2:
1. Satie: No. 1, Lent [Gnossiennes]
2. Satie: No. 2, Avec étonnement [Gnossiennes]  
3. Satie: No. 3, Lent [Gnossiennes]  
4. Satie: No. 4, Lent [Gnossiennes] 
5. Satie: No. 5, Modéré [Gnossiennes] 
6. Satie: No. 6, Avec conviction et avec une tristesse rigoureuse [Gnossiennes]
7. Rameau: Gavotte (Arr. Krämer for Jazz-Piano) [Gavotte et six doubles, RCT 5/7] 
8. Alkan: No. 6, Barcarolle (Arr. Reißmann for Jazz-Piano "Bossa Barcarolle") [Recueil de chants, Op. 65]
9. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19 (Arr. Krämer for Jazz-Piano)