But following Godowsky's death in 1938, his compositions were largely ignored until the year 2000, when super-virtuoso pianists such as Marc-André Hamelin and Boris Berezovsky began to record and perform his works in concert.

Ivan Ilić is the latest pianist to rise to the formidable challenge. His album focuses on the 22 Studies for the left hand alone, considered among the most difficult pieces ever written for the instrument.

But there is a poetry in Ilić's interpretations which makes one forget the difficulty, and allows the listener to bask in Godowsky's rich, dark re-working of Chopin's masterpieces.

This album is a tour de force of virtuosity and musicianship.

- Daily Telegraph Classical CD of the Week
- Classique News Top 5 CD of the Month

"A major achievement"
BBC Radio 3

1. Study no5 in D flat major Tristesse (L Godowsky)
2. Study no2 in D flat major Triumphant (L Godowsky)
3. Study no22 in C sharp minor Revolutionary (L Godowsky)
4. Study no35 in B flat minor Cantabile (L Godowsky)
5. Study no13 in E flat minor Appassionata (L Godowsky)
6. Study no40 in G flat major Butterfly (L Godowsky)
7. Study no12 in G flat major Black Key (L Godowsky)
8. Study no18a in F sharp minor Patience (L Godowsky)
9. Study no21 in A major Spring Rain (L Godowsky)
10. Study no3 in A minor Ants (L Godowsky)
11. Study no31 in A minor Grasshopper (L Godowsky)
12. Study no20 in A flat major Rambler (L Godowsky)
13. Study no41 in B minor Winter (L Godowsky)
14. Study no28a in F sharp minor Autumn (L Godowsky)
15. Study no30 in F major Pastoral (L Godowsky)
16. Study no44 in F minor Yearning (L Godowsky)
17. Study no15a in E flat major Miller's Wheel (L Godowsky)
18. Study no23 in A flat major Aeolian Harp (L Godowsky)
19. Study no16a in G flat major Luminous (L Godowsky)
20. Study no6 in C sharp minor Battle (L Godowsky)
21. Study no45a in D flat major Andantino (L Godowsky)
22. Study no43 in C sharp minor Tempest (L Godowsky)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 3/24/2012
Ivan Ilic lives in Paris France

Tagged as: Classical, Romantic Era, Instrumental Classical, Classical Piano, Composer: Leopold Godowsky

1. The Melodious Birde - Keyboard Music By William Byrd by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
2. Old School Old Time by Fiddle Whamdiddle: foot-stomping, heart-pumping, head-bobbing music that snags audiences and reels them in!
3. Christmas Music by Magnatune Compilation: the best music from Magnatune
4. JS Bach on Solo Ukulele by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
5. Josep i Maria (Spanish and Catalan Folksongs and Villancicos for Christmas) by Galliarda: Renaissance and Baroque music from Byrd to Handel
6. Dowland on 8 String Guitar by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
7. Lautenschmaus by Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
8. Play Loud by Lilly Wolf: Catchy dance pop with insightful lyrics
9. Bach and Telemann - Sonatas, Preludes and Fantasias by Voices of Music: Lilting Renaissance & Baroque vocal interpretations
10. JS Bach on Solo Ukulele Volume 2 by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
11. A Spagna in the Works by Alison Crum and Roy Marks: Ethereal, enigmatic and exhilarating renaissance miniature masterpieces for viol and lute
12. Magnificent Obsession vol 6 - Beethoven Sonatas by Sebastian Forster: exquisitely performed Beethoven piano sonatas
13. Magnificent Obsession vol 8 - Beethoven Sonatas by Sebastian Forster: exquisitely performed Beethoven piano sonatas
14. TGIF by Mike Goudreau Jazz Band: boppin', swingin' joie de vivre whether it's jazz or blues
15. Third Annual Concert of Music by Bill Robinson: New Music in the Classical context
16. Louis Couperin Harpsichord Music by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
17. Amazing Grace by David Modica: layers of lush acoustic guitar
18. The Water is Wide by David Modica: layers of lush acoustic guitar
19. Cerulean Blue by Robert Otto: Ambient Electronic and Neoclassical Soundscapes
20. Tau Ceti by Robert Otto: Ambient Electronic and Neoclassical Soundscapes

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