Anthony de Mare - Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano (2015) [Hi-Res]

US concert pianist Anthony de Mare pays tribute to Stephen Sondheim in a fascinating project. De Mare invited contemporary composers from a broad variety of genres - from Sondheim's own world of musical theatre to jazz, classical, pop, film and beyond - to 're-imagine' a Sondheim song of their choice as a piece for solo piano.

Sondheim is more than America's pre-eminent composer of musical theatre, and his influence has resonated far beyond Broadway. Contributing 're-composers' include Steve Reich, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Wynton Marsalis, Nico Muhly, William Bolcom, Jake Heggie, Michael Daugherty, Frederic Rzewski, Mary Ellen Childs, Duncan Sheik, Nils Vigeland, Gabriel Kahane, Tania Leon, Fred Hersch, Ethan Iverson, David Shire, Thomas Newman and more - in total, 36 composers representing seven countries and 29 Grammy, Pulitzer, Tony, Academy and Emmy Awards!

Among the Sondheim songs featured are Being Alive, Pretty Women, I'm Still Here, The Ladies Who Lunch, No One Is Alone, Johanna, Finishing the Hat, the title numbers from 'Merrily We Roll Along' and 'Into the Woods', and, of course, Send in the Clowns.

'Each of the composers is having a conversation with Mr. Sondheim,' Anthony de Mare told the New York Times, 'with his material but also his influence, his musical wit and his craft.' Sondheim's response? 'To hear composers take my work and take it seriously... it's a thrill.'

'Not just inventive piano arrangements of the songs but new compositions written in the composers' own styles... It was fascinating to hear how each composer approached the song. Mr de Mare's playing was dynamic and stylish, requiring formidable virtuosity... I loved it.' (The New York Times)