LEONARD LEHRMAN PERFORMS SOLO PIANO WORKS BY MEMBERS OF
The Long Island Composers Alliance

CD Universe

The immediate impression upon hearing these contemporary piano pieces by members of The Long Island Composers Alliance, is of their departure from the atonal and inaccessible realms of much 20th-century music. In fact, a great deal of it is downright lyrical, even hummable. This is not to say they are lacking in seriousness, however, or musical complexity. We are simply hearing a collection of 41 short pieces that all seem to have been composed with a true desire to connect with listeners. Prelude in D by Lukas Foss shows why his name carries weight: it is a thoughtful piece, well crafted and always interesting. 'Ten Short Pieces' by Leo Kraft contains much imagination, and 'It's a Living' by Morton Gould is engaging. The performances of these pieces by Leonard Lehrman are informed and infectious, showing both his musical ability and his dedication to the Long Island Composers Alliance.

American Record Guide
November/December 1999, p. 258
Review by Jack Sullivan

Perhaps it is because I am writing this review from the Hamptons in a beautiful but unusually cool late August, but I find this collection of piano music written from the 1950s to the 1990s by members of the Long Island Composer's [sic] Alliance exceptionally bright and comfortable. This impression persists even with rigorously formal works such as Angelo Musolino's Fugato and Extension and somber ones such as Serge Suny's Brief Encounters. The pleasant tone is established by the opening piece, a serene exercise in modal lyricism by Joel Mandelbaum, and a spare, charming Prelude by Lukas Foss. Other standouts include Elie Siegmeister's aptly titled 'Festive March', Leo Kraft's busy, bustling Ten Short Pieces, Andre Hosza's delectable French Suite, and pianist Leonard Lehrman's lively musical bestiary of birds, foxes, wolves, and lions. Lehrman's pianism is clear and sharp, which seems to suite [sic] the music just fine. The recording has a hard, tangy quality as well.]