John McDonald (1959-)
Something bold to start with, op. 541 n° 64
Nervous waiting (Tetradactyllic), op. 455 n° 23
You don't love me, op. 446 n° 12
Three-Parter, op. 455 n° 102
Variants on "Jim Wilson's Lanterne Melody 1", op. 455 n° 28
Epicede for Louise Bourgeois, op. 455 n° 38
Poco "Harsh", Poco "Nice", op. 455 n° 74
Digital Dance Fetish, An African Allegro, op. 455 n° 118
Lento Appassionato for David Holzman, op. 475 n° 163
Monet's Anguish, op. 420 n° 49
Moonesinghe obsequy, op. 388
To play with no devices, op. 595 n° 59
Berceuse to play with two devices, op. 595 n° 101
Forthright wednesday peom composed after hearing Wolpe's Palestinian notebook, op. 475 n° 212
Held dear, op. 165 n° 7
Offering in tribute, op. 420 n° 6
Deep disappointment, op. 614 n° 2

David Holzman, piano

This recording chronicles the growth and development of a deep friendship between pianist David Holzman and composer John McDonald. Over the course of two decades, the two have developed a deep understanding and appreciation of each other personally and professionally. Writing about the relationship, David Holzman says: I have known John McDonald for almost two decades. At first, he was a generous colleague, joining with Joel Gordon to help bring many of my cd’s into existence—providing the space to record at Tufts University, editing, and a stayover at his house for these multi-day events. By the second such event, he was already becoming a friend and soon a close and trusted friend. I began to know him as a composer about a decade ago, when I began to ask for, and receive, unbidden, compositions—all colorful characterstucke clearly written by one pianist for another. It was only two years ago, when I started to work on this cd, that I began to fully grasp the variety and complexity of his works. And only after the two-year journey of learning, performing and recording was complete did I have the pleasure of seeing John’s personality reflected in his music. The earlier works in this recording capture Holzman's physical approach to the piano, with intense involvement of arm and shoulder. The more recent works were written as Holzman was struggling to perform while using hearing devices.