Thomas Leslie - Hokoyama: Spiritual Planet / Tanouye: Kokopelli's Dance / Nixon: Las Vegas Holiday (LP)

Thomas Leslie's 2005 album, "Hokoyama: Spiritual Planet / Tanouye: Kokopelli's Dance / Nixon: Las Vegas Holiday," is a captivating journey through a diverse landscape of musical compositions. This album, released under the Klavier label, spans a concise yet engaging hour and three minutes, offering a rich tapestry of classical and contemporary pieces.

The album opens with a selection of Rachmaninov's Etudes-tableaux, arranged by Z. Douglass, showcasing Thomas Leslie's mastery of these intricate and evocative works. The centerpiece of the album is the three-part "Spiritual Planet" suite, which takes the listener through a progression of moods and atmospheres, from chaos to enlightenment.

Other highlights include the playful "Kokopelli's Dance," the adventurous "Selamiut: The Sky Dwellers," and the whimsical "Realms" suite, which paints vivid images of various creatures and landscapes. The album also features a suite from Arthur Sullivan's "King Arthur," arranged by P. Hindmarsh, offering a taste of classic British operetta.

Thomas Leslie's virtuosity and versatility shine throughout this album, making it a compelling listen for fans of classical and contemporary piano music.