NICODE: EIN LIEBESLEBEN & OTHER PIANO WORKS

Simon Callaghan - Nicod�: Ein Liebesleben & Other Piano Works (CD) - Felix Draeseke's description of Jean Louis Nicod� (1853-1919) as 'more a moderate progressive than a cacophonist' - in contrast to his younger contemporary Richard Strauss - may have been intended as a compliment, but doesn't begin to do justice to this profoundly enjoyable music, it's several influences (most notably Schumann) never far away.