GUILLAUME LEKEU (1870-1894): Piano Sonata in G Minor, CÉSAR FRANCK (1822-1890): Prélude, choral et fugue, Les plaintes d'une poupée.

Description: As far as I know the 1891 Lekeu sonata was only available on CD prior to now on Vol. 4 (released in 1994) of Ricercar's Lekeu Chamber Music series. An odd work formally - a Prélude, two fugues, Dans un mouvement plus lent and Finale - it's modelled on Franck's large-scale works for piano (like the coupling on this disc) but its emotional range is vast, from tragedy and torment to its peaceful and calm finale. Those of you who have the Ricercar version may still want to find out why (or how) this Japanese pianist takes 32:24 over the same piece which was played by Luc Devos 18 years ago in 20:34! Satoshi Ishiyama (piano).