Fresh and exciting!
5
By Rukmini in the city
These two play in such responsive concord with one another that I almost felt at times I was listening to a pianist with two lefts hands and two right, but, of course, it is the fact of two people playing to and through one another with such precision and sympathy that is moving. Gosling and McMillen achieve a gorgeous array of sounds: shimmering, dancing, echoing, watery, sonorous and often caught up in the sheer delight of tossing each other notes with sharp and furious energy. Above all, I loved the selection of music. The CD is full of surprising, fresh, moving and memorable pieces that will get under your skin. I was delighted by those little moments of play with classical phrases in Opel's Dilukkenjon. Harberg's Subway, without being literal for a moment, made me want to be 20, riding between the subway cars, buzzed on youth and a free weekend--such a hunger for life in that piece. Mary Ellen's piece Kilter has a Sati-like beauty. It is graceful, even hypnotic, with moments that sound like the pianists plucking away the seconds of life passing. When do we get Powerhouse Pianists III?
The Best Collection of Contemporary Works for Two Pianos
5
By One Musician in NYC
I really enjoy all of the works on this amazing album, I’ve heard the Adams and Corlgliano before, both great works, but was most taken with Paterson's Deep Blue Ocean, which I consider a modern masterpiece, and it should be a regular addition to the ever-growing canon of standard works for two pianos.
I am interested in hearing more works by Harberg (especially the other two movements of her piece) and Doug Opel. The Corigliano is also a fantastic piece, but for two pianos tuned a quarter-tone apart, so not sure how much that will get programmed, but at least there’s this recording. Finally, there’s the Rzewski, which is also a classic work, and available in a one piano version. Stephen Gosling and Blair McMillen are easily two of the best pianists in the New York, and in the United States. It really doesn’t get much better than these two.
Final verdict: purchase this beautiful, ground-breaking collection of two piano works, you won’t regret it.
From a Harberg fan
5
By mksmassie
I’ve heard “Tenement Rhapsody” many times—never better!
MusicEddy
5
By MusicEddy
Very well done! I especially enjoyed Paterson's Deep Blue Ocean, the first piece on the album, but I also enjoyed Hallelujah Junction (now considered a classic for the two piano genre) and also Mary Ellen Child's Kilter. The rest of the works were also engaging. What I find most interesting about this album is the diversity of the works. All of the pieces are very different. If this album doesn't give you a sense of how stylistically diverse modern music can be—and also how engaging—then there's really no hope for you. From the riveting Dllukkenjon by Doug Opel, to Amanda Harberg's upbeat work entitled Subway, to Corigliano's fascinating Chiaroscuro (for two pianos tuned a quarter-tone apart), all of the works are in their own sound world. Hats off to Stephen Gosling and Blair McMillen for their beautiful artistry, and to the composers for their excellent works on this album.
The Best Two Piano Album Ever
5
By Robert Paterson Composer
I really enjoy this album, especially the works by the composers who aren’t as familiar to me. Robert Paterson’s Deep Blue Ocean is spectacular and absolutely beautiful, and I consider it a modern classic which should be performed on every two piano program. It should be added to the pantheon of two piano classics by Adams, Rzewski and Corigliano. I also enjoyed the works by Mary Ellen Childs, Doug Opel and Amanda Harberg. Every single piece on this album is a gem.
Modern Classics
5
By tcucomp7
With Powerhouse Pianists II, Gosling and McMillen have delivered sterling performances of contemporary piano works that everyone should have in their library. The modern classics by Adams and Corigliano are masterfully presented; Dilukkenjon by Doug Opel is fresh and exciting and deserves many repeat listenings. The virtuosity and synchronicity of the piano duo make this CD a must-have!
Dilukkenjon
5
By midilance
This was amazing. It was like watching a movie scene to scene. I’d like to hear more compositions from the composer, Doug Opel.
