If the second solo album by young American pianist John Wilson had a title, it might well be “Virtuoso,” for that description permeates John’s musical selections as well as his dynamic interpretations.

John follows in the footsteps of previous pianistic giants Sergei Rachmaninoff, George Gershwin and Earl Wild, all of whom have contributions on this new release – indeed the pedigree of these composer-arranger-pianists runs through John’s musical DNA.

One of the first pieces John learned was Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, the work with which Earl Wild made a spectacular debut with Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, a live broadcast that made front page news.

Wild’s renowned re-workings of Gershwin’s music for the stage is represented here by the Fantasy on ‘Porgy and Bess’, alongside Gershwin’s own Three Preludes for solo piano. Wild also turned his hand to solo piano arrangements of Rachmaninoff’s soulful songs which John feels a close affinity for thanks to his frequent collaborations with vocalists.

This album follows John’s acclaimed recent solo debut, Upon Further Reflection which features music of his mentor Michael Tilson Thomas, Aaron Copland and Earl Wild arrangements of George Gershwin songs.

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF:
Songs transcribed for the piano by Earl Wild
1. Dreams Op.38 No.5 (3:36)
2. Floods of Spring Op.14 No.1 (3:48)
3. The Little Island Op.14 No.2 (1:58)
4. Midsummer Nights Op.14 No.5 (3:36)
5. O, Cease Thy Singing Op.4 No.4 (4:21)
6. On the Death of a Linnet Op.21 No.8 (4:59)
7. Do Not Grieve Op.14 No.8 (3:30)

The first of the dutifully-crafted trio is from Sergei Rachmaninoff (songs transcribed for the piano by Earl Wild) and opens on the delicate Dreams Op.38 No.5, the flourishing Floods of Spring Op.14 No.1 and the shimmering The Little Island Op.14 No.2 and then we are brought forth the sterner fare of Midsummer Nights Op.14 No.5, the ornate beauty within O, Cease Thy Singing Op.4 No.4, the work rounding out on the fluttering On the Death of a Linnet Op.21 No.8 and the free-flowing Do Not Grieve Op.14 No.8.

GEORGE GERSHWIN:
3 Preludes
8. I Allegro ben ritmato e deciso (1:25)
9. II Andante con moto e poco rubato (3:45)
10. III Allegro ben ritmato e deciso (1:09)

Next are three from George Gershwin (3 Preludes), of which the sprightly Allegro ben ritmato e deciso leads the way, backed by the more diligent Andante con moto e poco rubato, the work culminating with the jaunty Allegro ben ritmato e deciso.

EARL WILD:
Fantasy on Porgy and Bess based on the opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin
11. Introduction (0:12)
12. Jasbo Brown Blues (1:37)
13. Summertime (3:03)
14. Oh, I Can’t Sit Down (1:28)
15. My Man’s Gone Now (3:25)
16. I Got Plenty o’Nuttin’ (2:34)
17. Buzzard Song (2:02)
18. It Ain’t Necessarily So (3:35)
19. Bess, You Is My Woman (2:34)
20. I Loves You, Porgy/Bess, You Is My Woman (2:01)
21. There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York (2:26)
22. Oh Lawd, I’m on My Way (1:23)

The final work is from Earl Wild (fantasy on Porgy and Bess based on the opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin), and opens on the low slung, twelve second Introduction and the wildly joyous Jasbo Brown Blues, before quietening things down on Summertime, raising the tempo once again on the melodious Oh, I Can’t Sit Down, the astute pairing of both My Man’s Gone Now and the lively I Got Plenty o’Nuttin’.

Along next is a more sombre, although at times flighty rendition of Buzzard Song and the sternly sculpted It Ain’t Necessarily So and they are in turn backed by the languishing Bess, You Is My Woman, the third, and final work rounding out on the diligent I Loves You, Porgy/Bess, You Is My Woman, the captivating two-step rhythms within There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York, closing on a cheerful Oh Lawd, I’m on My Way.

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