New Arts International

- a fascinating portrait of Erwin Schulhoff, a cosmoplitan composer killed by Nazis in 1942

- his music constantly swing between classical, avantgarde and jazz influences

- his piano music (solo, four-hands and with orchestra) is here performed by Daahoud Salim Alvarez who has both a jazz and classical education

Schulhoff’s music remained a well-kept secret for many years, due in part to its apparent eclecticism. Fortunately, that situation has changed over the last twenty years of so. This release from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam contains piano works from the period 1920-1931, an extremely fruitful period during which Schulhoff gave vent to his fascination for the new jazz and dance music without entirely losing signt of classical tradition. He was a brilliant pianist himself, making frequent appearances in the concert hall and later in radio studios, renowned for his immaculate technique, fabulous memory and prowess as an improviser. The combination of classical foundations and more decorative jazz elements in Schulhoff’s music suits Daahoud Salim Alvarez down to the ground, as he studied both classical and jazz piano at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Schulhoff constantly faced the dilemma of respecting traditions while at the same time being keen to distance himself

Forbidden Music