The Viennese composer and pianist, Wilhelm Grosz, was also a renowned conductor, orchestrator and recording director – a musician of remarkable versatility and wide-ranging influences. This first volume of his complete piano music reflects his immersion in the stylised dance music of his time, with the two Tanzsuites being distinctive examples. He sought novel ways to bring individuality to the Classical sonata, and in the 12 Improvisations, Op. 45 his music is full of innovation with evocations of gospel singing and tango.
Grosz, Wilhelm
Spiegelmensch, Op. 12: 2 Pieces (version for piano)
1 Vorspiel (Prelude): Sehr breit und feierlich 02:46
2 Hochzeitmarsch (Wedding March): Sehr rhythmisch, nicht übereilen 01:30
Tanzsuite (Dance Suite) No. 1
3 I. Menuett: Sehr gemächliches Zeitmaß 02:19
4 II. Gavotte: Lebhaft bewegt, mit Humor - Musette: Etwas ruhiger 02:24
5 III. Walzer: Etwas zögernd 02:27
6 IV. Polka: Zögernd beginnen - Gemessenes Polkazeitmaß 03:21
Piano Sonatina on E-H-A-E, Op. -2
7 I. Marcia: Ma non troppo 02:09
8 II. Quasi Serenata: Andantino amoroso 02:57
9 III. Finale: Sehr lebhaftes - aber etwas gemessen beginnendes Stepzeitmaß 01:50
Tanzsuite (Dance Suite) No. 2, Op. 20
10 I. Foxtrot: Sehr rhythmisch, nicht zu rasch 02:59
11 II. Boston: Molto rubato 04:12
12 III. Tango: Sehr lebhaft beginnen - Langsam, wiegendes Zeitmaß 03:39
13 IV. Shimmy: Sehr rhythmisch, etwas gemessen 03:02
14 V. Quasi Fivestep (Tanzphantasie): Sehr lebhaft und heftig bewegt 02:58
Piano Sonata in G Major, Op. 21
15 I. Allegretto amabile 07:48
16 II. Siziliana: Andantino con grazia - 03:22
17 III. Allegro molto 06:11
12 Improvisations, Op. 45
18 No. 1. Allegro molto agitato 00:56
19 No. 2. Quasi Presto 00:42
20 No. 3. Andante, dolcissimo 01:44
21 No. 4. Presto 00:48
22 No. 5. Allegro ma non troppo 00:48
23 No. 6. Agitato, poco gracioso 01:15
24 No. 7. Allegretto molto scherzando 00:50
25 No. 8. Adagio, molto con espressione 02:23
26 No. 9. Allegro ma non troppo, poco gracioso 01:24
27 No. 10. Prayer: Poco tranquillo, con molto espressione 02:03
28 No. 11. Presto, molto scherzando 00:54
29 No. 12. Allegro più agitato, Tempo di Tango 01:42
