"There is a lot of Brahms and Schumann in [Ethel Smyth's writing], but also a youthful lightness, in the Finale of the Sonata no.2, which Liang captures delightfully. The wryly-named Variations in D flat major on an Original Theme (of an Exceeding Dismal Nature) – are in fact far from dismal. After a quiet theme the variations have assurance in their development of the material and the piano writing. Liang is good in the stern second variation but the heart of the set is variation V, where she finds an emotional range that is impressive in the young composer ... The Smyth pieces are set against pieces by four living composers. Errollyn Wallen’s brief I Wouldn’t Normally Say is spry and lively, which keeps feeling like it is going to burst into song. Sally Beamish’s Night Dances is unsettled and unsettling at first, the edgy evocation of a mind trying to sleep. The dances of the title are in the middle, wild and jazzy intoxicating. Chen Yi’s appealing Variations on “Awariguli” date from 1978, and are a nod to Liang’s Chinese heritage. The piece is based on a Uyghur folksong, which gives it an added resonance in the light the recent Chinese persecution. But the music has no hint of that, instead traversing a range of western musical styles with facility, including Bachian fugue and Debussyan wash. But perhaps the most arresting piece on the disc is the last, Eleanor Alberga’s Cwicseolfor, the ancient spelling of “quicksilver”. And mercurial it certainly is. By turns spiky, dreamy, liquid and punchy, it’s technically extremely demanding and Liang gives a highly entertaining performance"

This very interesting recording by fine pianist Hanni Liang features works of women composers ... Variations on 'Awariguli' by Chen Yi (born 1953) consists of a theme - an Uyghur folksong - then nine variations and a coda. This was composed in 1978 and first premiered by the composer's sister in Beijing in that year. The composer had discoved this folk song in a collection of Chinese folksongs she studied whilst completing her undergraduate degree. I really love this, and it is probably my favourite work on this disc ... I recommend this album, firstly because of the great musicianship and pianism of Hanni Liang, but also because of her thought in designing an interesting and varied release, the great accompanying notes by Katy Hamilton, the fact that two of the works - those by Sally Beamish and Eleanor Alberga - are premiere recordings, and last but least, the great work of the sound engineer Andreas Neubronner. I was very impressed with this prgramme's originality.

CLASSICAL MUSIC DAILY
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