Thanks to a pianist friend for alerting me to this gem by Marc-André Hamelin, who counts three short works for player piano among his own dazzling compositions. Like Conlon Nancarrow, Hamelin exploits the instrument for its unique qualities, mainly its ability to tackle what human beings cannot. There are other versions of Circus Galop running around YouTube, but this one has a bit more depth to the sound, making the interlude and astonishing finale even more satisfying.
[Photo: Marc-André Hamelin by Nina Large]
