Benjamin Hochman - Variations - Benjamin, Berio, Brahms etc.

On 'Variations', pianist Benjamin Hochman explores an age-old art form with works ranging from Brahms' Handel Variations to 20th and 21st century inspirations by George Benjamin, Luciano Berio, Oliver Knussen and Peter Lieberson.

Pianist Benjamin Hochman follows his critically acclaimed AVIE debut Homage to Schubert - which paired two sonatas by the 19th century master with modern day tributes by Kurt�g and Widmann - with a like-minded program centred on the age-old musical form of variations. At the heart of the album is Handel Variations by Brahms, a grand master of the art form. The four shorter Piano Variations on this recording are by major composers of the late 20th and early 21st century: Oliver Knussen, Luciano Berio, George Benjamin and Peter Lieberson. Each composition is a piece of great beauty but with results that are strikingly diverse.

Personnel: Benjamin Hochman (piano)

Critical acclaim for Benjamin Hochman:

Excellent and inquisitive...vibrant and stylish. - The New York Times (on Homage to Schubert)

Requisite songfulness...incisively sprung dramatically reflected...meticulous balances and textural control. - Gramophone (on Homage to Schubert)

Classical music doesn't get better than this. - The New York Times