Pianist Charles Owens follows a critically acclaimed release of Fauré’s popular Nocturnes (AV 2133) with a relative rarity – a complete survey of the composer’s Barcarolles uniquely coupled with Trois Romances sans paroles, Fauré’s first published works for piano. The Barcarolles straddle the turn of the 20th century and span a four-decade period, from 1880 – 1921. The works’ dedicatees were a veritable roll call of Parisian musical elite. Though written and published separately, they hang together well through their combination of mystery, humanity and inner poetry. Yet it is a rare pianist who plays all thirteen, a bill that Charles Owen lives up to brilliantly.
****
Remy Franck - Pizzicato magazine - October 2011
"...Owens gives beautifully measured accounts of these charming works, enjoying the lavishness of the writing ..."
Mark Tanner - International Record Review - September 2011
Performance **** Recording *****
"... The excellent recorded sound ranges from the delicate to the majestic."
Roger Nichols - BBC Music magazine - September 2011
