12 Études caractéristiques, Op. 2
12 Études de Salon, Op. 5
Étude in A minor
La Gondola. Étude, Op. 13, No. 2

One way to approach the Piano Études by German composer and pianist Adolf von Henselt (1814-1889) would be to compare them directly to the Piano Études by Frédéric Chopin, but with one significant difference. Whereas Chopin's were primarily technical wizardry from which powerful melodic material would emerge, Henselt's were first and foremost a beautifully conceived melody wrapped inside technical filigree.

Many of them are infused with vivid imagery by the use of added subtitles like: "Orage, tu ne saurais m'abattre!" or "Ave Maria" and "Plein de soupirs, de souvenirs, inquiet, hélas! Le coeur me bat". And these poetic adornments bring to mind the melodic worlds of Mendelssohn and/or Schumann, even Schubert at times, more so than Chopin. As beautiful to hear as they are difficult to play.

This is Japanese pianist Marcel Tadokoro's first recording, and should prove to be an excellent launchpad for a brilliant career. He manages the technical demands with ease while emphasizing the dramatic and lyrical contours of each and every phrase, as well as maintaining a firm grasp on the expressive melodic lines that flow from start to finish of each piece.

Recordings of this music are rare, so this is a discovery for me. And a pleasant one at that. If you enjoy the piano music repertoire, I would strongly recommend you consider adding this to your collection.