Lowell Liebermann's Sonata #1 in C. I. Adagio. Nataliya Medvedovskaya, Pianist.

Poetically profound interpretation by Nataliya Medvedovskaya of the first "Adagio" movement of Lowell Liebermann's extraordinary Sonata No. 1 in C Major at Bargemusic, August 4, 2011. In her review of the concert, Rorianne Schrade wrote, "The first half ended with Lowell Liebermann's Piano Sonata, Op. 1, composed at age fifteen (1976). An auspicious start to the impressive career that ensued, this work contains more than just seeds of future greatness, as it has moments of haunting beauty (especially the third movement, Lento), along with taut craftsmanship. Ms. Medvedovskaya gave it a cogent performance, with a particularly rousing fourth movement finale" (New York Concert Review, August 15, 2011).



A child prodigy, Lowell Liebermann composed his Sonata #1, Op. 1 at the age of 15 years and then premiered it himself on May 15, 1977 at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16 years. The composition was awarded First Prize from the National Composition Contest, Music Teachers National Association in 1978 and the "Outstanding Composition Award" from Yamaha Music Foundation in 1982. It is published by Theodore Presser Co. and recorded by David Korevaar, piano, on Musical Heritage Society MHS512647Y3 and Koch International Classics CD 7552 and recorded by Margaret Mills, pianist, on Cambria CD-1094.

Lowell Liebermann is one of the foremost American composers of our time. He is a composer, concert pianist and conductor. He studied at the Juilliard School of Music with David Diamond and Vincent Persichetti, gaining bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. His most recorded works are the Sonata for Flute and Piano (1987), the Gargoyles for piano (1989) and the Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (1992). Other notable works include a sonata for flute and guitar (1988), four cello sonatas (most recently 2008) the second piano concerto (1992), the opera, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1996), a second symphony (2000), a trumpet concerto (2000), a violin concerto (2001), Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra (2001), and the opera Miss Lonelyhearts (2006) which was commissioned as part of the festivities surrounding the centennial of the Juilliard School. He was also commissioned by the Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation to compose "Three Lullabies" for two pianos.
His work combines elements of traditional tonality and structure with more adventurous harmonies. His Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, and Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra have been recorded by James Galway. His Clarinet Concerto was recorded by American clarinetist Jon Manasse. The concerto made its New York premier on May 22, 2011 with Manasse and The Chappaqua Orchestra at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY, Liebermann's alma mater. Liebermann resides in New York City.

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