George Crumb‘s reputation as a composer of hauntingly beautiful scores has made him one of the most frequently performed composers in today’s musical world. From Los Angeles to Moscow, and from Scandinavia to South America, festivals devoted to the music of George Crumb have sprung up like wildflowers.

George Crumb wrote A Little Suite for Christmas for piano in 1980. Approximately 15 min length, this perfect piece of music is so minimal and so energetic at the same time. The main idea of this work is dialogue between sound and silence, which is the fully legitimate member of George Crumb’s music. The long pauses between intensive moments of piano blasting can prepare the listener very well to conceive all musical ideas, and the whole impression is really stunning.

• George Crumb – A Little Suite for Christmas for piano – Aleksandra Listova