Ton de Leeuw - Lydic Suite (1954)

[cbreemer]

Probably not a lot of Dutch piano music is posted in these quarters. So here is a little suite by Ton de Leeuw which I recorded earlier this year. It is neither very ambitious or very original for its time of composition, but it is appealing and good clean fun, somewhat in the vein of Bartok in folksy mood. The middle movement always reminds me of Asturiana from Falla's Siete Canciones.

[rachfan]

Hi cbreemer

The "Lyric Suite" for the most part has sparse textures as you say, yet it results in a very fresh and appealing sound, such as the bell tones in the opening number.  Very high energy at times too with a nice change of pace in the expressive Andante. The final piece is exciting.  I believe that your rendition is certainly convincing, enabling you to put the music across to the listener very well.  I enjoyed hearing your recording.

David

[cbreemer]

Thank you David

[awesom_o]

A fine performance of a lovely piece of music!

Thank you for sharing this. It is the first time I have heard of this composer.

[cbreemer]

Thank you awesome ! Every now and then, it is nice to record a piece that does not require months of practising and polishing ;-)

Ton de Leeuw was one of the most influential Dutch composers of the second half of the last century, who studied with Messiaen and De Hartmann among others. I confess I know very
little of his other work but this one was a must-play on first hearing. Glad you like it.