Christian Wolff: Early Piano Pieces

Steffen Schleiermacher takes on the avant-garde pioneer Christian Wolff in his latest album, "Early Piano Pieces." With a title as exciting as a lukewarm cup of tea, you might expect this album to be about as thrilling as watching paint dry on a Sunday afternoon. But hold on to your knickers, because Schleiermacher actually manages to inject some life into these dusty old compositions. From the moment the first note hits your eardrums, you'll be transported to a world where dissonance reigns supreme and melody is just a distant memory. Schleiermacher's deft touch on the piano brings out the intricate layers of Wolff's compositions, making even the most challenging pieces feel like a walk in the park (if that park happened to be full of wild, unpredictable squirrels). Tracks like "For Piano I" and "For Piano V" showcase Schleiermacher's ability to navigate the complex rhythms and unexpected harmonies that are Wolff's signature. It's like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat, only instead of a rabbit, it's a beautifully dissonant chord progression. So if you're in the mood for something a little different, a little daring, and a little bit bonkers, give "Early Piano Pieces" a spin. You might just find yourself coming back for more, like a moth to a flame, or a music snob to a pretentious indie record store.