Throughout a busy musical career which got underway in the early '50's, Dick Hyman has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, conductor and composer. His versatility in all of these areas has resulted in well over one hundred albums recorded under his own name and many more in support of other artists.
Mr. Hyman's concert compositions include his Piano Concerto, Ragtime Fantasy, and Sonata for Violin and Piano. In his numerous public appearances, he has performed solo, with orchestra, with his own quintet, with cornetist Ruby Braff, and in duo-piano appearances with Derek Smith, Roger Kellaway, Ralph Sutton and the late Dick Wellstood.
In addition to his activities in the jazz and concert worlds, Mr. Hyman has had a prolific career in New York as a studio musician, and has won seven Most Valuable Player awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
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The New Yorker said of Grant Johannesen, "He is one who stands among the truly distinguished masters of his instrument."
A noted Steinway classical artist, Mr. Johannesen has enjoyed a career spanning 50 years and has secured for himself international status of the highest order.
Mr. Johannesen made his debut PianoDisc recording in November 1995. His program included Four Night Pieces, Op. 23 by Schumann, Nocturne No. 6 in D-Flat, Op. 63 by Chopin. Also of interest is the inclusion of two pieces by American composer Charles Strause, who wrote the Broadway musicals "Annie" and "Bye Bye Birdie." The first is called "Ditto" and combines a classical feel with light jazz and a bit of Broadway. The second, "Ragtime Rose," is a lovely rag reminiscent of a Scott Joplin piece with a modern feel.
Roger Kellaway has been described as "a musical chameleon" and "the most awesome jazz pianist quite possibly on earth." The quote that best sums up Roger's very eclectic music and career is his own, "All music is an adventure ... with every turn there is another universe of knowledge available to us."
As proof of his versatility and unwillingness to be pigeonholed by categories, he has recorded over two hundred albums, and played with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to James Galway, Gil Evans to Michael Tilson-Thomas, Elvis to Ellington, Lena Horne to Joni Mitchell, Sonny Rollins to Yo-Yo Ma. Mr. Kellaway is not only a major jazz pianist, he is also a prolific composer, writing in the jazz classical and popular music fields.
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Noted Baldwin classical artist Wladimir Jan Kochanski made his debut on PianoDisc in September 1995. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Kochanski studied with the legendary teachers Rosina Lhevinne and Eduard Steuermann. Madame Lhevinne called him "a dazzling pianist, reminiscent of the old masters."
While his technique is frequently compared to that of Horowitz, it isn't technique alone that makes Kochanski such a favorite with audiences. Mixing humor and story-telling during his recitals, he gives the audience an insight into the music and the master composers in a way that brings their music to life. His recitals are at the same time brilliant, educational and inspirational. As you can imagine, his fans are legion and loyal.
Mr. Kochanski's PianoDisc recording perfectly reflects his astounding virtuosity and insight in such pieces as Un Sospiro by Liszt, Rachmaninoff's 18th Variation On A Theme By Paganini and Lecuona's Malaguena.
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With Steinway artist Ruth Laredo, the works of many composers are served brilliantly. She is perhaps most closely associated Rachmaninoff (she has recorded his entire solo piano works) but her exquisite technique and insightful interpretations are evident in a large repertoire.
For her PianoDisc recording, Ms. Laredo chose works by Isaac Albeniz (Songs of Spain Op. 232), Manuel De Falla (El Amor Brujo Suite) as well as five preludes by Sergei Rachmaninoff (Op. 32, No. 5 in G Major, No. 10 in B Minor, No. 11 in B Major, No. 12 in G# Minor and Op. 3 No. 2 in C# Minor). She opened her program with the Prelude and Fugue in G Minor by Bach.