In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston brings us piano music by eccentric, innovative, and inspiring American composer William Bolcom.

Bolcom was awarded the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his 12 New Etudes for piano, and his music has always revolved around the instrument on which he still performs as a soloist and accompanist.

AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #106: Piano Music of William Bolcom

Playlist:

opening and closing music: improvisations by Guy Livingston

William Bolcom

Recuerdos

I. Choro – Homage to Nazareth

II. Recuerdos; II. Paseo – a la memoire de Louis-Moreau Gottschalk

III. Valse Venezolano – a la memoire de Ramon Delgado Palacios

Elisabeth and Marcel Bergmann, duo pianists

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William Bolcom

3 Dance Portraits; No. 3. Abbacadabra

Ursula Oppens, pianist

Naxos NAM 8559832-34

William Bolcom

12 Piano Etudes (revised 1966 version)

Christopher Taylor, pianist

Naxos NAM 8559832-34