Early Piano Music

Howard Hanson (1861-1981), one of the giants of twentieth century American music, did not compose a great deal of piano music. The first of these pieces (Poems Erotiques, Op. 9), from his pre-Eastman years, show Hanson employing the 19th century piano styles still current during the period (1917–1920) of his apprenticeship. By the early 20s, Hanson was a fully formed composer and the Tre Pezzi, Op. 18 reflect the more mature young composer that was to develop during his stay at the American Academy in Rome (1921–24). The last piece included in this collection, Slumber Song, was probably the earliest to be written. Though it cannot be dated exactly, it was probably composed during the “teen years” when Hanson was still living in Iowa. This is a fascinating collection of pieces, suitable for moderately advanced recitalists, with an extremely useful preface by Nicholas Hopkins.