Marc-André Hamelin Essentials

Pianist Marc-André Hamelin’s repertoire is extraordinarily wide as he enthusiastically takes in the byways of the piano repertoire. Yet while he champions such virtuosic composers as Godowsky, Alkan, and Liszt, and plays them with stylish flair, he also shows an affinity for the gentle lyricism of Fauré: listen to his lovely performance with soprano Karina Gauvin of “Clair de lune.” Hamelin is not only a mesmerizing soloist, but also a sympathetic partner with other musicians—as you can hear on the following tracks with excerpts from Richard Strauss’ Cello Sonata and Franck’s emotionally intense Piano Quintet. And don’t miss his fiery performance with Leif Ove Andsnes of “The Sacrificial Dance” from Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. Immediately before this, we have a sample of Hamelin’s unbuttoned yet immaculate playing of jazz-inspired music—something of a speciality of his—with Bolcom’s “Dream Shadows.”