'The composer-pianist's understanding of his own instrument is...evident in every measure of Margaret Fingerhut's absorbing solo recital, which launches in imposing fashion with the Sonata that Leighton wrote for Peter Wallfisch... Fingerhut plays with consummate skill and thrilling conviction' Gramophone
'Fingerhut is an insightful, sensitive advocate of [Leighton's] music, whether measured in the form of the two rhythmically gritty Sonatas...or the more temperamental Winter Scenes...This disc is a valuable resource, perceptively filling in gaps in the Leighton oeuvre and demonstrating playing of verve and intelligence' Record Review
'Margaret Fingerhut's strong and immaculate performances recall Leighton's own powerful style as a pianist almost exactly, and the recordings reveal his fine ear for keyboard resonance.' BBC Music Magazine
Ranging from the remarkably serious Sonata, Op.64 (1971-1972) to the lyrical Preludes (1988) and the never-before recorded Winter Scenes Suite (1953) and Sonata No. 3, Op.27 (1954), this album provides an impressively well rounded portrait of this complex modern composer-pianist.
Leighton composes with an accessibility rarely found among his contemporaries and a sense of intuition and feeling for his instrument which transcends traditional musical theory. The deeply emotional, human quality of his composition is truly bought to life by Margaret Fingerhut's lively, quick-witted playing, the fieriness of which is balanced perfectly by the sensitivity with which the plays.
Credits
Piano: Margaret Fingerhut
Composer: Kenneth Leighton
Producer/s: Rachel Smith
Sound Engineer/s: Jonathon Cooper, Paul Quilter (assistant)