Giacinto Scelsi: Suite 8 & 11 per pianoforte

Featuring

Sabine Liebner
Giacinto Scelsi

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Critical Reception

While Scelsi gained recognition abroad as an important 20th-century composer, in Italy, particularly Rome, he was often considered a pretentious dilettante.

Performer Biography

Sabine Liebner is an internationally acclaimed interpreter of New Music, particularly known for her performances of John Cage's piano works.

Compositional Technique

Scelsi claimed to be the first to use clusters, playing with his entire forearm, predating other composers who gained fame for this technique.

Composer Biography

Giacinto Scelsi (1905-1988) described himself as a headstrong child who explored music on the piano in his family's ancient castle in southern Italy, possibly never having formal piano lessons.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Scelsi often spoke of his spiritual connection to Eastern philosophy, stating his house stood on the border between the eastern and western hemispheres.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Scelsi believed Chopin was the first composer to recognize that individual notes and sounds have inherent value, not just value in relation to others.

Composition History

Scelsi created hundreds of piano pieces by recording his improvisations on tape and having them transcribed by others, such as Vieri Tosatti (1920-1999).