1 - Troll Suite (Four selected Lyric Pieces)
- Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
- The Little Troll ("Puck")
- Notturno
- March of the Trolls (Dwarves)

2 - Suite "From Holberg's Time"
- Prelude
- Sarabande
- Gavotte
- Air
- Rigaudon

3 - Piano Sonata in E minor, Op. 7

4 - "Spring Suite" (Four selected Lyric Pieces)
- To Spring
- Butterfly
- Birdie
- Dance of the Elves

5 - Three Lyric Pieces
- Gade
- Canon
- Arietta

This CD by pianist Findlay Cockrell of various Piano Pieces by Edvard Grieg once again proves that you should never judge a recording by its credentials. This is strictly a private production, without fancy art work, without marketing dollars, without the publicity machine of the major labels behind it, but if you were to hear it blindfolded, you would automatically assume that it was an important recording project from an established label. The playing is at times imaginative, at times heartfelt, and always prominently infused with a sense of purpose and joy.

Also, the choice of pieces on offer, make for a well-rounded overview of the music for solo piano by Edvard Grieg. From the effervescent spirit of Wedding Day at Troldhaugen to the intensely lyrical beauty of Notturno, Findlay Cockrell gets to the core of each piece and animates their true essence. Up until now, I myself had never heard the original piano version of the Holberg Suite, which in its orchestral form, along with Peer Gynt, has always been a crowd pleaser amongst Grieg's output. Well now I think I prefer it in its original form. The clarity of its melodic lines along with the simplicity of its design are better defined on the piano.

Although not a household name, pianist and teacher Findlay Cockrell has nonetheless over the years performed with an impressive line-up of famous musical figures including Kim Kashkashian, Arthur Fiedler and Joshua Bell. His many years devoted to teaching overshadowed is performing and recording career, which based on what is on display on this recording, could have been substantial. The recorded sound itself, captured by recording engineer Robert Turchick, deserves special mention as it puts to shame some recordings by the aforementioned major labels. For more information or to purchase this recording, please visit Findlay Cockrell's own website at www.findlaycockrell.com.

Jean-Yves Duperron