Michael Finnissy has been described as “one of the most original composers of our day” and his approach to Gershwin is a good example of his originality. These are not just transcriptions, they are re-workings of Gershwin’s ideas to suit scenarios and emotions remote from their original intention. The originals vividly evoke America in the 1920s and pre-war era. Through the spectrum of modernism,the melodies while still recognisable are seen “through a distorting lens”, tempos and harmony are exchanged, the blithe becomes tense, moods are reversed.

“…fun, humour, seriousness, power and an anguished poignancy, all of which Nicolas Hodges unfailingly projects in pianism of admirable clarity and sharply etched perfection.” International Record Review

“in these remarkable Gershwin arrangements Finnissy pays homage to the song transcriptions of Godowsky and others, but from his very personal avant-garde standpoint as “one of the most original composers of our day”.

Sunday Times Pick of the Year Christmas 2004

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