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First and foremost, Art requires more than technical proficiency, more than musicians perfectly reproducing the notes on a page. The artist interprets the notes, and from them creates Beauty. At its best Louis Moreau Gottschalk's music is passionate, intense and moving. At its worse his music is maudlin and melodramatic. This collection easily rates as one of the best on emusic, and we have Alan Marks to thank for that. Alan Marks is an Artiste of the highest caliber. I do not always agree with his interpretations but they are always, always compelling. He even redeemed for me LMG’s sentimental dirge, “Marche Funèbre.” His choice of works is one of the best. Almost every song on this 2CD set is a keeper. It’s only rival is Ivan Davis’s wonderful album ‘Piano Works’ of LMG released over 30 years ago back in the ‘70s. Of the two, Davis may have a better understanding of LMG’s raison d'être. But, Alan Marks at least is not a hummer.
