Erik Chisholm: Music for Piano, Volume 5

Erik CHISHOLM (1904-1965) Music for Piano - Volume 5 Piobaireachd for solo piano (undated)Sonatina No.5 (undated) Sonatina No.6 (1946) Cameos (1926) Sonatina Ecossaise (1929 rev. 1951) Harris Dance (undated) Tango (1926) Sonata Electra (undated) Dance Bacchanal (1924)
Murray McLachlan (piano) DIVINE ART DIVERSIONS DDV 24140

I recently was able to review the fifth in a series of CDs dedicated to the complete piano works of the great, but relatively unknown Scottish composer and musician, Erik Chisholm.

It is virtually impossible to fault this fifth volume of an ongoing series of Erik Chisholm's piano music. In my review of the first four discs I noted the huge commitment made by the pianist Murray McLachlan. It is always a momentous task to record a cycle of piano works. It is even more onerous when the works are typically not in the public domain. This has to be definitive. It is unlikely that there will be a subsequent recording of the 'complete' works for many years, if ever. Fortunately McLachlan has risen to the challenge. He is ably assisted by the fine acoustic of the Whiteley Hall at that great Mancunian institution, Chetham's School of Music.
The presentation of the CD is rather good, with a nice photograph of 'pleasure boats on Loch Lomond'.
It is altogether a fine production and essential for anyone who is an enthusiast of British piano music. In fact, I believe that Erik Chisholm is so important that his music ought to have International status rather than just a local interest. I repeat my assertion that this series of CDs showcase one of the most important 'musical discoveries and revelations of the Twenty-First Century'.
Please read the full review at MusicWeb International