The Piano Music of Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji

Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji was a British born composer, pianist, and author who wrote some of the longest and most difficult to perform works for the piano ever composed. Although a 20th century composer, his works have more in common with the elaborate counterpoint of Bach than with the modern compositions of his contemporaries, such as Cage, Antheil, or Schoenberg. His compositions were so difficult to play that he actually forbid public performance of them for decades, so as to avoid them from being performed by pianists who were not up to the task. As a result very few people had an opportunity to hear his compositions, and he never attained the renown that he otherwise deserved. Not that this seemed to bother him too much, nor did it stop him from continuing to produce such masterworks. He is considered by many to be one of the 20th century’s legendary composers and this program’s presentation of his piano music, performed by himself, provides a rare opportunity for listeners to become familiar with it. This program, which includes a lengthy lecture by Sorabji scholar Erik Chisholm as read by Sorabji’s friend Frank Holliday, was produced by Donald Garvelmann for WNCN in New York City. (from KPFA Folio)