Pianist Jeremy Denk's label debut album, Ligeti/Beethoven, pairing Ligeti’s Piano Études, Books One and Two, with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, is out today. "The result is dazzling," raves the Observer. "The Ligeti is crisp, nuanced and technically flawless, the Beethoven beautifully shaped and flexible." The Independent gives the album four stars. The Arts Fuse calls it "revelatory." Denk celebrates the record's release with a performance of music from the album at (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York City next week. 

Ligeti/Beethoven, the Nonesuch Records debut from acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk, is out today. The album, which features Ligeti's Piano Études, Books One and Two, and Beethoven's Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111, includes an essay written by Denk, a noted writer, both on his blog and in such publications as The New Yorker and the New York Times Book Review. Read his album note here.

Ligeti/Beethoven, the Nonesuch label debut from acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk, is due out next week, on May 15. But you don’t need to wait till then to hear it. The album, which features Ligeti’s Piano Études, Books One and Two, and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, is streaming in full all this week as an NPR First Listen. "Throughout Ligeti/Beethoven," says NPR, "Denk plays masterfully, opening up each puzzle box in turn with vitality, wit and absolute assurance."

To mark the May 15 release of his Nonesuch label debut, pianist Jeremy Denk will make his first appearance at (Le) Poisson Rouge, taking over the downtown NYC venue for a one-night-only Ligeti/Beethoven celebration on Monday, May 21. The concert program comprises Book 1 of Ligeti’s Piano Études and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111. (The new album adds selections from Ligeti’s Piano Études, Book 2). Other spring tour highlights include concerts in DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Nonesuch releases the label debut from acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk, Ligeti/Beethoven, on May 15, 2012. The solo recording features Ligeti’s Piano Études, Books One and Two, and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 32 in C Minor. "One curious connection between the works on this album is the way both Ligeti and Beethoven relate themselves to jazz (and to syncopation, rhythmic dislocation generally)," says Denk. "But the most significant connection for me is between Beethoven’s vast timeless canvas and Ligeti’s bite-sized bits of infinity." Pre-order now. Tune in to Q2 Music all this week to hear Denk guest host Hammered!, and again tonight for a live videocast performance/conversation with Denk, John Adams, Michael Tilson Thomas, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.