Virgin Classics’ survey devoted to pillars of the 20th century American piano sonata re-enters the catalog as a two-disc set selling for the cost of one midprice CD. Pianist Peter Lawson cultivates a full and resonant sonority and wide dynamic range that suits the rugged registral valleys mapped by Carter and Copland in their respective sonatas. He lavishes similar care over the delicate harmonic twists throughout Griffes’ Sonata and lovingly tends the spacious, transcendent lyricism Charles Ives spins when he’s not bashing out good dissonances like a man. Listen, for instance, to Lawson’s sustained calm and delicately placed “celesta” notes midway through Ives’ Three Page Sonata, or to his twinkling dispatch of the Copland Sonata’s zesty middle movement. Lawson sustains the slow movement of Roger Sessions’ gnarly Second Sonata as eloquently as Robert Helps’ more texturally differentiated live recording (CRI), and offers a cogent, somewhat reserved foil to Charles Rosen’s more amply engineered and dramatically colored Elliott Carter Sonata (Bridge).
If you prefer a less rough-and-tumble approach to Ives’ First Sonata, Lawson’s clear-cut pianism will suit your requirements rather than the grittier Alan Mandel on Vox (still my favorite in the absence of William Masselos’ pioneering version). In a less crowded catalog, Lawson’s immaculately poised Barber Sonata would garner top honors alongside John Browning’s seasoned remake (MusicMasters), but it now yields to Earl Wild’s recent Ivory Classics recording, whose sophisticated playfulness and scintillating pianism truly defy Wild’s 84 years. In all, anyone interested in acquiring this repertoire together in one package has an enticing, well recorded, and recommended bargain in store.
