CCMusic.com

Bach, Boulez: Piano Works / David Fray - Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Pierre Boulez, Performer: David Fray, "In 2005, fresh out of a conservatory in Paris, the young pianist David Fray received an award from a cultural foundation in France to make a solo recording. He bravely chose a program juxtaposing two major keyboard works of Bach with shorter yet formidable scores by Pierre Boulez. Here is that recording, Mr. Fray's second, but his first on a major label. The superbly played and thoughtful program should help spread the news about this emerging French artist, now 26. In both Bach and Boulez, Mr. Fray displays an articulate touch, splendid command of shadings and nimble finger work. The youthful freshness of the performances is especially appealing. Mr. Fray is not intimidated by either giant. He brings a fluid sense of rhythm and much sparkle to Bach's D major Partita... Mr. Fray's account of Bach's D minor French Suite is also captivating, played with real affinity for the French flourishes in the dance movements... Bach devotees who may be wary of Mr. Boulez's music should hear Mr. Fray's playful, crystalline and wondrously delicate account of the 12 "Notations," an ingenious set of short pieces... "