The Piano at the Carnival – Anthony Goldstone

Carnival is a concept of public merry-making enjoyed in many countries and a natural inspiration for composers. In the second of his trilogy of piano music related to public entertainments, Anthony Goldstone again excels himself in a superb programme which includes the first recording of the entirety of the Suite from Khachaturian’s Masquerade in the version for piano. The repertoire here is highly entertaining, from well-known works such as Schumann’s Carnaval, to less familiar items such as Smith’s brilliant Fantaisie brillante on Verdi’s ‘Un ballo in maschera’. Other highlights include a virtuoso arrangements of DvoÅ™ák’s spectacular Overture Carnival, Liszt’s colourful Hungarian Rhapsody No. 9 (The Carnival of Pesth) and Chopin’s glittering Souvenir de Paganini (Carnival of Venice): all in all a thoroughly entertaining programme, full of surprises.

Carnival is a concept of public merry making enjoyed in many countries and a natural inspiration for composers. In the second of his trilogy of piano music related to public entertainments Anthony Goldstone again excels in musicianship in a superb programme which includes the first recording of the entirety of Khachaturian’s Masquerade Suite in the piano version.