Compelled by the passing of his older brother, Norman, who originally encouraged his musical studies, Mr. Adler put together this musical program with the idea of remembering the past in mind. He has included his own composition for his brother, Elegy for Norman, a treasured Debussy score that belonged to his brother, as well as pieces connected to other important personages in his life: Paul Turok’s Passacaglia, Henco Espag’s Herinneringe, Mozart’s Piano Sonata in D Major, K. 311, and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
James Adler plays in an incredibly imaginative way…He succeeds in creating a truly exciting and fascinating interpretation…We could give our readers more details, but the best thing is to listen to the recording. — Pizzicato
An artfully constructed program, admirably performed. I will return to this disc with pleasure. — Ken Meltzer, Fanfare
Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’…gets an absolutely first-rate rendition here… he grasps the essence of each miniature and presents it with skill and refinement. — Infodad
I was especially taken with [Adler’s] Mozart…allowing him to draw out lovely phrasing that highlights the haunting counterpoint in the score. — Peter Burwasser, Fanfare
Adler’s [‘Elegy for Norman’], which is for flute (played by Cain-Oscar Bergeron) and piano, is gentle and rather sweet. — Infodad