Product description Although Leon McCawley recorded Barber s piano music 15 yearsago for Virgin EMI, he was dissatisfied with the results. On thisnew set, Leon offers new insight into Barber s piano music withinterpretations of added zest and sparkle that are more sure-footedand give a deeper understanding of the composer s intentions. Review This is a lovely release encompassing much of the solo piano music of Samuel Barber, an American composer still under-rated this side of the pond -- but then, aren t they all, apart from Leonard Bernstein? Leon McCawley has long been a persuasive advocate of his music, and Birmingham audiences will remember a recital from him featuring Barber's music in the Town Hall not so long ago. Here this most thoughtful of British pianists brings loving concern over detail to the early Three Sketches (including a tribute to Barber's own Steinway piano -- lucky chap) written at the age of 14, as much as he does to the substantial Sonata of Barber s mature years. Francis Poulenc, no less, was a great admirer of the Sonata, and by some kind of spooky osmosis, the spirit of that adorable French composer seems to hover behind Barber s witty Souvenirs of 1950. There is much else to treasure here besides. Christopher Morley --Classical CD Review, The Birmingham Post, 27th October 2011