A double CD release of piano music by NZ composers-

Tradition is acknowledged with the first track, Douglas Lilburn's 1946 Chaconne, a mighty kauri of a score inspired by the West Coast landscape. Rugged harmonies and dazzling virtuosics seem to catch the gleaming clarity of nature.Six shortish pieces by Kenneth Young complete the first disc; extremely approachable music which runs from questioning toccata to Dutilleux-like mists.The second disc is more flagrantly physical. Gao Ping's Dance Fury salutes tango master Astor Piazzolla, and Houstoun drives this volatile score through clangorous climaxes to interludes in which imaginary dancers relax between their exertions.The heady, lingering atmosphere of Victoria Kelly's Landscape Prelude is intoxicating enough to make one overlook the fact that pianist Stephen De Pledge has not been credited with its original commission.
John Psathas' Jettatura is a frenetic workout that tests pianist and engineer Steve Garden; both come out with shining colours.The final selection of 12 miniatures by Mike Nock take a walk on the jazz side. Ballads are followed by Bachian toccata and sometimes there is a whiff of New Age sensibilities to it. Although Nock's language seems pastel alongside some of the bold primaries elsewhere, Houstoun delivers the closing Serenity with the sincerity and tonal translucence that are his signature. - William Dart

CD1
Douglas Lilburn -Chaconne
Kenneth Young -Five Pieces for Piano

CD2
Gao Ping -Dance Fury
Victoria Kelly -Landscape Prelude
John Psathas -Jettatura
Mike Nock -
Presence
After Bach
Ringstone Round
In the Time of Sakura
Red Descending
Sho’s Cradle Song
Promise
Cartwheels
Beautiful Your Eyes
Green Cycle
Raff Riff
Serenity