To mark the November 2014 publication of Philip Glass’s 20 Etudes for piano, SOMM Recordings is proud to release a 10th Anniversary Special Edition of Philip Glass Selected Etudes performed by the versatile and eclectic pianist and composer, Giusto Di Lallo.

Di Lallo poses a question to his audience that is typical of his creative vision: “Why offer the public another recording of Glass’s Piano Etudes when there are already dozens of them out there?” The answer is that when he first acquired the sheet music for the Etudes and began to analyse and study them, he was struck, “almost with disappointment,” by the fact that many pianists had deliberately transformed the sense of some of the Etudes. The main discrepancies that caught Di Lallo’s attention were primarily regarding the tempi, although he also realised that pianists had often altered the dynamics and phrasing as well.

In wishing to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the publication of Glass’s Etudes then, Di Lallo chose a selection of the pieces, and attempted to stay as faithful as possible to the original intentions of the composer. Using a scholarly approach, he adhered strictly to the score to preserve the tempi, dynamics, and phrasing exactly as noted. His aim was to restore the work to its original spirit and present the Etudes in their most authentic form, creating a sort of reset point after ten years of several “personal” interpretations.

Piano études, or studies, come from a long compositional tradition. Initially, they were intended as exercises for pianists to master a specific aspect of keyboard technique – be that scales, arpeggios, trills, and the like. During the 19th century, in the hands of composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, and Brahms, the etude evolved into a true art form. That tradition continued into the 20th century with composers like Scriabin, Rachmaninov, and Debussy. It is within this tradition that Philip Glass’s Etudes find their place.

Composer-pianist, Philip Glass, widely known as one of the most celebrated and prolific of contemporary composers, describes his work as “music with repetitive structures.” His unique style is strongly recognisable in each of the 20 Etudes, and he has referred to them as a self-portrait of sorts. Until their publication in November 2014, he was almost the only person who had performed the pieces live.

Giusto Di Lallo is renowned for an innovative approach that bridges genres and cultures. Since 1996, he has been a dynamic presence on the concert scene, making more than 1,800 appearances both as a solo pianist and accompanist. His performances showcase a wide-ranging repertoire that spans classical, contemporary, and experimental music. Recent concerts include a series – held in both Italy and the UK – featuring Philip Glass’s Etudes for piano, selections of which he now presents in this anniversary release.