Jenny Lin
InsomniMania (Koch International Classics)
Silvestrov: Piano Works Nostalghia (Hänssler Classic)

Jenny Lin has seemingly infallible piano technique, not merely in terms of velocity but also evenness of touch and beauty of tone. She also has an admirable devotion to modern classical music, with the majority of her releases exclusively concerned with the music of our time. On her newest CD, these are applied to a program built around the theme of "night": states of sleep, lack of sleep, dreams, nachtmusik, and more. The title InsomniMania does not come close to encompassing its range, but it does, however, pre-empt incorrect sleepy-time music associations, for while there are certainly pieces here that it would be pleasant to fall asleep to, just as often the music would likely keep listeners awake, or at least give them unsettling dreams. The one thing it never is, is boring.

With dates of composition spread from 1936 to 2007, the range of styles and moods is impressive, from meditative John Cage and restless (literally) Daniel Felsenfeld to Rzewski's variations on a Yiddish melody to a minimalist lullaby by Michael Byron to jazzy William Bolcom, John Musto, and Raymond Scott (arranged by Wayne Barker).

The Silvestrov release (something from last year that I should’ve gotten to sooner!) consists mostly of unadorned solo pieces in which the composer aims to “duet with silence.” Of course, there’s more to technique than speed, and here Lin gets to display the poetic side of her arsenal, including pearl-like tone and gauzy pedaling.

Valentin Silvestrov (1935- ) is nostalgic at times for specific composers, and the styles of Schubert, Wagner, Chopin, Debussy, Schoenberg, Webern, and Berg are specifically evoked. Specificity of mood, keen focus, and avoidance of florid gestures usually save this music from slipping into mere feel-good retreading of comfortable styles, and while I don’t like every track, the best rank with the somewhat similarly silence-concerned miniatures of Federico Mompou. Looking at Lin's website, I see she's got an album of Mompou scheduled for next year; there's something to look forward to! - Steve Holtje

Mr. Holtje is a Brooklyn-based poet and composer who splits his time between editing Culturecatch.com, working at the Williamsburg record store Sound Fix, and editing cognitive neuroscience books for Oxford University Press. No prizes for guessing which pays best.