Recording Reflections

Notes from John McArthur on specific singles and album tracks.

  • Sibelius' Sonic Landscape - Romance

    Sibelius' Sonic Landscape - Romance

    This angular, carefully carved and polished almost regal sound is pure Finland whose landscape and sound has the quiet ability to take your breath away!

  • The Genius of Earl Wild - The Little Island

    The Genius of Earl Wild - The Little Island

    Earl Wild has been on the most important figures and influences in my professional life - having met him when I was 17 years old at the recital of my first important teacher, Belgian pianist Su...

  • The Genius of Earl Wild - Vocalise

    The Genius of Earl Wild - Vocalise

    “Supervirtuoso,” “Romantic Master,” “Mr. Wild has one of the great piano techniques of the 20th century...” These are just a few of the copious accolades given to pianist Earl Wild and would be...

  • The Genius of Earl Wild - Hommage à Poulenc

    The Genius of Earl Wild - Hommage à Poulenc

    The characteristic traits of being a pianistic genius - out of this world technical skills and vibrant creative powers - are essential......but add to that the gift of composing, arranging and ...

  • The Genius of Earl Wild - Improvisation on “Après un rêve”

    The Genius of Earl Wild - Improvisation on “Après un rêve”

    It can be an awkward thing attempting to identify what contributes to the genius of a person without being reductionist or shining too bright a light that excessively reveals what should remain...