MANA-ZUCCA (1885-1981): Sonatas No. 1, Op. 27 and No. 2, Op. 280, Prelude, Op. 73, Valse Brillante, Op. 20, Fugato-Humoresque on the theme of “Dixie”, Op. 21, Wisteria, Op. 38/1, The Zouaves’ Drill, Op. 68, Southland Zephyrs, Op. 72/1, Bolero de concert, Op. 72/2, Poème, Op. 37, Resignation, Op. 183/9, Memories, Op. 186/8, Nostalgia, Op. 187/30, Scherzando, Op. 266, La Poverina, Op. 272, Polka Comique, Op. 275, Badinage, Op. 288.

Description: A name from the days of 78s for sure. Gussie Zuckermann was a multi-talented woman: pianist, composer, singer, teacher and impresario, she claimed more than 1000 compositions and not all of them songs or for solo piano although the latter is what we have here. These are emphatically not simple salon-style pieces either; you will hear Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Prokofiev, jazz, Impressionism and other influences but there is always a penetrating intelligence audible behind it all. Virtuosity, yes, but not of the empty kind; Mana-Zucca was sometimes called the “Chaminade of America” and it suits. Nanette Kaplan Solomon (piano).