Bach:
Piano Transcriptions, Vol 8:
The complete Bach transcriptions by Eugen d’Albert

Hyperion’s Bach Piano Transcriptions series reaches volume 8, and continues to surprise and delight with a disc containing many first recordings. The controversial figure of Eugen d’Albert was one of the greatest pianists of his day and, although largely forgotten now, a composer of genuinely international renown. A sometime student at the Royal College of Music, d’Albert rejected his British upbringing and nailed his colours to the mast of German music. Bach was an important part of his performing career and like other great nineteeth-century pianists, d’Albert saw in the monumental scale of the organ works an opportunity to synthesize the works of the Master with the expanded capabilities of the modern piano. ‘Lane commands the golden tone and effortless, spirited virtuosity needed to make these transcriptions come alive, and makes them sound easy to boot. A honey of a release’ (BBC Music Magazine) ‘Wonderful music, consummately transcribed and movingly played’ (International Piano) ‘This is wonderfully crafted piano music, marvellously executed by Lane … the playing is always supremely fluid and musically enquiring … this is another fascinating release from Hyperion’ (International Record Review) ‘A truly fascinating disc … Lane clearly relishes in the amusing challenges, but he also makes you wonder at the immensity of Bach’s genius’ (Classic FM Magazine)

'I found Lane's Prelude (Toccata) and Fugue in D minor, BWV538 unassailably alive to the possibilities that both Bach and d'Albert leave open. The rhythmic impulse never flags, the pithy contrapuntal detail keeps afloat and there is a subliminal sense of goal to keep the thing intact. The A major Fugue, BWV536 shows the pianist highly authoritative and, for me, underlines the highest musicianship' (International Record Review)

'Masterly performances by Piers Lane. D'Albert's versions … didn't attempt to make the instrument sound like a cathedral organ. In his ingenious hands, they become compelling piano pieces' (The Sunday Times)

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Recording details: June 2009; Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom; Produced by Rachel Smith; Engineered by David Hinitt; Release date: March 2010;