Victory at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in October 2021 turned Bruce Liu into a worldwide sensation. Deutsche Grammophon’s live album of his competition recordings was released to rave reviews the following month, and the Canadian-Chinese pianist became an exclusive DG artist in March 2022. Now Bruce Liu, "a pianist with a captivating musical personality" (Financial Times), has recorded his highly anticipated debut studio album, spanning two centuries of French keyboard music. The Paris-born pianist has taken a historical approach in selecting his repertoire, focusing on three French composers who played a central role in the development of keyboard music between the 18th and early 20th centuries: Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-88) and Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). The album's title reflects both the nature theme that runs throughout the album and Liu's spontaneous style: "The sea is always changing," he notes. "And my approach to the music I play is never fixed."

This vinyl set also includes as bonus tracks the popular Gnossiennes by French composer Erik Satie.

Since winning the Chopin Competition Bruce Liu has become renowned for his breathtaking, charismatic live performances. Recording an entire studio album therefore posed a different challenge, but one he has relished. “For me, it’s in a studio that you can really make your own puzzle,” he explains. “It’s like making a piece of art, putting everything together.”

TRACKLIST
LP1 / A
Rameau: Gavotte et six doubles, RCT 5/7
Alkan: No. 6, Barcarolle [Recueil de chants, Op. 65]
Rameau: Les sauvages, RCT 6/14
Ravel: No. 1, Noctuelles [Miroirs, M. 43]
Ravel: No. 2, Oiseaux tristes [Miroirs, M. 43]

LP1 / B
Ravel: No. 3, Une barque sur l'océan [Miroirs, M. 43]
Ravel: No. 4, Alborada del gracioso [Miroirs, M. 43]
Ravel: No. 5, La vallée des cloches [Miroirs, M. 43]

LP2 / A
Alkan: No. 12, Le festin d'Ésope [12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys, Op. 39]
Rameau: Les tendres plaintes—Rondeau, RCT 3/1
Rameau: Les cyclopes—Rondeau, RCT 3/8
Rameau: Menuets, RCT 6/3-4
Rameau: La poule, RCT 6/12

LP2 / B
Satie: No. 1, Lent [Gnossiennes]
Satie: No. 2, Avec étonnement [Gnossiennes]   
Satie: No. 3, Lent [Gnossiennes]   
Satie: No. 4, Lent [Gnossiennes]  
Satie: No. 5, Modéré [Gnossiennes]  
Satie: No. 6, Avec conviction et avec une tristesse rigoureuse [Gnossiennes]