Bullets and Lullabies

Music by Chopin, Beethoven, Ravel, Debussy, Brahms and others
James Rhodes, piano
Warner Classics 5052498358328 (2CDs)
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James Rhodes (who toured Australia in October 2011) is in his late thirties, but has been a professional pianist only since the age of 29. Before that, he worked in financial publishing in London. He believes that new ways must be found to make classical music attractive and this 2CD set is accordingly divided into two sections – Bullets (‘to listen to on your way to work’) and Lullabies (‘when you’ve got a hot date around for dinner’). The presentation of these discs, the photos of James Rhodes on the cover and his somewhat tiresome notes on the pieces he plays (extended over seven pages against a background which makes them almost impossible to read) led me to expect a non-serious and possibly non-accomplished performer. This proved not to be the case. There is no need for him to assume this rock star identity; his piano playing will ensure he has a willing audience anywhere. Anyone who can play the finale of Chopin’s Third Piano Sonata as well as this is someone to be reckoned with. Rhodes is equally at home with Beethoven’s music. He produces a beautiful tone and his technique is scintillating throughout the recital. He pulls an interesting stunt by presenting the second movement of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto in a rarely heard arrangement by the Russian composer Balakirev. The only fault I find with the recital is that some listeners may find his Lullabies tempos soporific, as in Brahms’s Intermezzo op 117 no 1. – Richard Gate