Mariann Marczi - Splinters - Works for Piano by Bartok, Kodaly, Kurtag, Ligeti etc.

Pianist Mariann Marczi performs a very personal programme of 20th century works from her native Hungary, featuring pieces that form two pillars at either ends of the last century, grouped between 1907 and 1918 (Bart�k and Kod�ly) and from 1976 to 1989 (Ligeti, Kurt�g, L�szl� Lajtha, Zolt�n Jeney and Gyula Csap�).

Like pylons, these two blocks of compositional styles and techniques are linked by a hidden and complex network of bridges - arpeggios that at times imitate the sounds of the harp, dulcimer or far-away bells, a strong French influence, be it biographical, musical and frequent references to francophone poetry, and a common tendency towards the transcendental. Marczi has worked together with all of the living composers on her disc, and authoritatively carries out their intentions, while bringing to light the subtle nuances across the interesting and varied landscape of last century's Hungarian music.

Marczi chose works which have played an important role in either her concerts or academic research: I was fortunate to work with Gy�rgy Kurt�g at several of his masterclasses - during the International Bart�k Seminar we did an intense and detailed analysis of his Splinters together. I have also worked several times with Zolt�n Jeney and Gyula Csap� on their compositions. My doctoral thesis was the first complete survey to analyse all 18 of Ligeti's Piano Etudes. I selected my favourite, F�m (which means metal), for this CD. I have presented at conferences on the piano works of Zolt�n Kod�ly and L�szl� Lajtha, and I won a prize at the 27th International Smetana Piano Competition Plzen for my performance of Bart�k's Three Burlesques.

She studied piano at the B�la Bart�k Conservatory in Budapest and later in the city's Liszt Academy of Music, continued her postgraduate studies in Berlin at the Hochschule f�r Musik 'Hanns Eisler', and took part in masterclasses with Gy�rgy Kurt�g, Zolt�n Kocsis and Pierre-Laurent Aimard amongst others. Earning her Doctor of Music degree in 2008, she is a prize-winner in several competitions and has played in the most important Hungarian concert halls and in many European countries.

Personnel: Mariann Marczi (piano)