Primarily known as a composer of organ music, Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) was no slouch when it came to writing for the piano. In fact, the three sonatas Antonio Pompa-Baldi offers here make full use of the instrument’s orchestral dimensions in the Schumann/Brahms tradition, flavored by catchy melodies that would have done Dvorák proud, along with modulations that pay back Franck with interest. And no matter how lush the frequent octave doublings or filled-in chords, somehow the textures never seem too thick. I think that has a lot to do with the piano player, a silver medallist in the 2001 Van Cliburn Competition (he should have won the gold, in my unhumble opinion), and whose gorgeous, full-throated tone retains its sheen no matter what hurdles Rheinberger throws at him. Examples: the runs in the Op. 47 sonata’s whirlwind Tarantella finale, or the taxing chords throughout the Op. 135 sonata’s Scherzo. You hope that Pompa-Baldi’s masterful and organic affinity for Rheinberger’s idiom will stir up attention for this beautiful, well-crafted, and unjustly neglected repertoire. Centaur’s engineering is some of the best I’ve heard from this label. If you’re attracted to unusual Romantic fare, played to the hilt, don’t pass up this release. [4/26/2004]
