“…behind this scaffolding is a very personal artistic response to the huge breadth of music that was created in the 20th century when every tradition was challenged. In its reconciliation of these seeming polarities, it is very much music of our own time.” – New Music Box

Such glowing critical commentary is entirely typical of the overwhelmingly positive response to Delos’ previous release of Sean Hickey’s concertos for cello and clarinet (DE3448). Further, it puts into a nutshell Sean’s approach to composition, which builds in original and accessible ways upon the rich and incredibly varied stylistic cornucopia of twentieth-century music. His two prior CD releases (one on Naxos) made the Billboard Top 100 Classical Chart upon release. An even greater array of stylistic inspiration is heard in these (mostly) piano compositions – many of which have been championed by today’s leading pianists.

The eight works for solo piano heard here are winningly performed by distinguished keyboard artist Philip Edward Fisher. Highlights include the title piece, Cursive, as well as Dolmen and Hill Music: a Breton Ramble. Fisher collaborates further with violinist Julia Sakharova in Ampersand - a striking chamber piece. Contrast comes with Pied-a-terre, a work of particular melodic warmth featuring Brandon Patrick George (flute), Anne Lanzilotti (viola) and Meredith Clark (harp).