ROBERT CASSIDY

• Debussy: Preludes, Livre II - XII. Feux d’Artifice

“Robert Cassidy’s new solo piano CD takes the listener on an unexpectedly intriguing and intellectually satisfying musical journey. Matching seemingly disparate composers Chopin, Debussy, and Joel Feigin to reveal their mutual commonality, Cassidy has assembled a recording that should be in every serious classical music lover’s collection… [recording] producer Elaine Martone and recording engineer Benjamin Maas have successfully captured the warm acoustic of the room.”

Daniel Kepl, Bravo California [August 2016]

“Joel Feigin’s 4 Elegies are expressive, with moments of harmonic beauty.”

Kang, American Record Guide [July/August, 2016]

“[ * * * * ] Robert Cassidy...is especially impressive in the pieces requiring a light touch, and also does a fine job with the miniatures that ooze sadness or at least melancholy... These are sensitive and often sensuous little works, whose significance Cassidy does not attempt to overstate: they are essentially salon-like impressionistic tidbits that come across all the more effectively when, as here, they are not overplayed or overdone... Cassidy plays [the Feigin] with care and understanding...”

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [May 2016]

“Cassidy has a great deal to say about this wonderful music... he brings genuine imagination and nuance to some of the greatest music written during the early 20th century.”

Charles Pope Jr., ConcertoNet [May 2016]

“Cassidy once again demonstrates his affinity for [Debussy]with discerning interpretations of the twelve preludes that comprise Debussy’s second book, as well as works by Chopin and Feigin. From the first prelude to the last, Cassidy plays with a light touch, assured technique, and an expansive color palette.”

Mike Telin, Cleveland Classical.com [December 2015]

Pianist Robert Cassidy has received critical acclaim for his performances and recordings of both solo piano repertoire and chamber music. Cassidy often appears in concert as a soloist and chamber musician nationally and internationally. He has been presented on WFMT radio in Chicago in the Dame Myra Hess Series, WNYC in New York on “Around New York”, and on WRUW, WCLV and WCPN in Cleveland and WKSU in Ohio.
 
Cassidy has premiered solo piano works by the American composers David Noon and Keith Fitch, and for six years has been the pianist in the Almeda Trio, an ensemble in residence at The Music Settlement in Cleveland. He has performed chamber music with members of The Cleveland Orchestra as well as with dozens of other professional musicians throughout his career. He released a critically acclaimed solo recital in 2012 featuring Debussy’s Préludes, Livre I, and works by Mozart and Noon [Albany TROY 1348].
 
An active and highly sought-after teacher and chamber music coach, Cassidy is in demand for master classes, workshops and lectures, private teaching and adjudication. Joining the faculty of Cleveland State University in 2008, Cassidy held the position of Lecturer of Applied Piano and Coordinator of Chamber Music, where he maintained a studio of undergraduate and graduate private students and taught Collaborative Piano and Accompanying from 2011-2014.
 
He also served as Interim Coordinator of the Keyboard Area in 2011-12. Currently, Cassidy maintains a teaching studio at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. He has served as a judge for numerous competitions, including contests sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Music Teachers’ Association, Tuesday Musical Scholarship Award Competition and the Music Teacher’s Association of California (MTAC).
 
Dr. Cassidy received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Solomon Mikowsky, Constance Keene and Marc Silverman. Additional piano studies followed with Menahem Pressler at Indiana University. Cassidy holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Piano Chamber Music and Accompanying/Piano Performance from Ball State University, where he studied with Robert Palmer.
 
[ www.robertcassidypianist.com ] FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN (1810-1849)
BARCAROLLE IN F-SHARP MAJOR, OP.60

JOEL FEIGIN (b.1951)
FOUR ELEGIES FOR PIANO: IN MEMORIAM RENÉE LONGY
I. Adagio molto rubato
II. Grave, quasi recitative
III. Andante con moto, molto rubato
IV. Adagio molto

CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
PRÉLUDES POUR PIANO, LIVRE II
I. Brouillards (Modéré)
II. Feuilles mortes (Lent et mélancolique)
III. La Puerta del Vino (Mouvement de Habanera)
IV. “Les Fées sont d’exquises danseuses” (Rapide et léger)
V. Bruyères (Calme – doucement expressif)
VI. General Lavine – eccentric (Dans le style et le Mouvement d’un Cake-Walk)
VII. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune (Lent)
VIII. Ondine (Scherzando)
IX. Hommage à S. Pickwick, Esq. P. P. M. P. C. (Grave)
X. Canope (Très calme et doucement triste)
XI. Les tierces alternées (Modérément animé)
XII. Feux d’Artifice (Modérément animé)
 



MSR Classics