Though Italian composer Luciano Berio is best known for his Sinfonia, this collection of his solo piano compositions is a decisive overview of his musical achievements. The centerpiece is the fourth of Berio's Sequenzas, a series of virtuoso-level compositions written for solo performers. Pianist David Arden takes one of Berio's most gently clustered works to new levels, making the long, sustained note shine while fast, bolting notes leap around the resonant echoes. Arden's execution presages Berio's long-form compositions, especially the numerous juxtapositions that Arden presents so beautifully. Jumps in dynamics from quiet to loud and light to heavy occur in all of Berio's shorter compositions. And for those who like a bit of tradition, Berio's first solo piano composition, Petite Suite (1947), closes this recording.

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