The review from the
July/August 2000 American Record Guide
American
Portrait
Dr. Richard Crosby, piano
GRIFFES: Roman Sketches;
BEACH: 3 Pieces, op. 128;
HOIBY: Narrative;
STILL: 7 Traceries:
GUJON: Arkansas Traveler;
GOTTSCHALK: The Banjo;
GERSHWIN: Prelude 1;
Capstone 8671 (Albany) 57 minutes
The brilliant young American pianist Richard Crosby offers us an unusual program of American piano works. Some of these may not be abiding masterpieces, but there is nevertheless a strong need for them to be heard. Griffes's Four Roman Sketches are certainly well beyond that category-beautiful impressionist poems on a level with much of Debussy and Ravel- and this new reading by Crosby is one of the few available of the complete set.
In all works, his playing unfolds on a very high artistic plane, with a wealth of tonal shading, distinctive and supple musical characterization, fluent, robust technique. and superior musical instincts.
Crosby was a student of John Meretta and Richard Morris, two of the premier pedagogues at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, and his playing does credit, in an impressive way, to his distinguished teachers. He is now Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at the University of Eastern Kentucky. It is regrettable that the piano used is in imperfect tune. Otherwise, this is a cherishable new release by a rising star in American pianism.
MULBURY
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