This music comes from the Exiles' Cafe, a place both real and metaphorical where the travelers of the world gather to find a home away from home, a place where journeys converge and histories collide. The miniatures collected here tell stories of the transformative passage from what is left behind to what is discovered ahead. Exiles' Cafe is Lara Downes' debut recording for the Steinway & Sons label. Her 2011 release, 13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg, received wide critical acclaim including top critics' picks for 2011 and coverage on NPR and APM's Performance Today. She currently serves as artist-in-residence at UC Davis's Mondavi Center.
1) 3 Hungarian Folksongs from the Csik District BB 45B: No. 1. Rubato
2) 3 Hungarian Folksongs from the Csik District BB 45B: No. 2. L'istesso Tempo
3) 3 Hungarian Folksongs from the Csik District BB 45B: No. 3. Poco Vivo
4) Mazurka No. 1 in F Sharp minor Op. 6 No. 1
5) 3 Pieces Op. 59: No. 3. Sonatina Pastorale
6) Dumka No. 2 H. 250
7) Dumka H. 285Bis
8) Tango
9) Prelude in D minor
10) Lost in the Stars Act I: Lost in the Stars (Arr. J. Distler for Piano)
11) Piano Sonata No. 2 in E Major Op. 2: I. Moderato
12) Africa (Arr. for Piano): Africa: II. Land of Romance (Arr. for Piano)
13) 6 Preludes: No. 1
14) 6 Preludes: No. 2
15) 6 Preludes: No. 3
16) 6 Preludes: No. 6
17) Tango from Exiles' Cafe
18) 3 Rag Caprices Op. 78: No. 2. Romance (Version for Piano Solo)
19) Fragments
20) Mazurka No. 49 in F minor Op. 68 No. 4
21) Piano Miniature No. 6 'Addio'