Pianist Margaret Leng-Tan - considered the leading exponent of “extended” piano techniques - is at her best with this music. George Crumb and Ms. Tan worked closely on the preparation of these works for the recording. Crumb’s Makrokosmos I & II were written to expand the world of color and sonic possibilities which a single piano and pianist could create. In addition to playing the keyboard, the pianist is required to strum and pluck the strings; apply glass tumblers and paper to the piano interior; as well as chant, whistle and whisper - to create a work at times pastoral, mysterious, jubilant, dark, otherworldly and terrifying. Composer supervised recordings. Both Books presented in their entirety on one disc. Modeled after the Zodiac, each Book consists of 12 short movements. The hi-definition 96-khz 24-bit recording reveals all of the spectacular qualities of the music.

Margaret Leng Tan, piano