Friedrich Gulda’s piano compositions combine notated music with large improvised sections, thus fusing the classical and jazz traditions. He was one of his generation’s most significant pianists and though his compositional output is relatively small, it is nevertheless significant. Variations on ‘Light My Fire’ is his tour de force virtuoso masterpiece, while Play Piano Play beguilingly contrasts traditional classical procedure with many different jazz styles.
“Friedrich Gulda’s music is unique in the piano repertoire because it allows the pianist to be both a concert artist and a jazz musician. His music adds a new sound to the concert music world. His fantastic Variations on 'Light my Fire' is a landmark composition that rivals the greatest variation sets with its combination of not only the classical and jazz worlds, but rock and roll as well. I gravitated to Gulda's music because it is electrifying, modern, and yet beautiful and accessible.” — Martin David Jones