The unsuspected summits of virtuosity Playing fast and loud... Letting the rapidity of your fingers go to your head... Is this really the definition of virtuosity? Virtuosity has it's origins in 'virtue'; a set of moral qualities, before evolving into something purely technical. By choosing works by Brahms, Mozart, and Liszt, Michel Dalberto will take us on the lengthy journey towards an increased understanding of these pieces. The difficulty of performing them is just one of the ways in which the texts take on their full meaning. So that the scores can reveal the full genius of their creator. Their humanity.
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3; Rhapsody on a Theme by P
Prospero Classical
CD
$20.99Apr 22, 2022
A former master student of Rudolf Buchbinder, Irina Georgieva performs regularly in Switzerland, Italy, France, England, Morocco, the Balkans, and recently in South America. Whether Stefan Lano, Michal Nesterowicz, Pablo Gonzàlez or Sascha Goetzel - the list of conductors Irina Georgieva has worked with is impressive. Just as impressive is her repertoire, which comprises classical music from the Baroque to the present. She loves the virtuoso piano music of the late 19th and 20th century, which is characterized by an expressive tonal language, special moods, and differentiated timbres. For her debut with Prospero Classical, she has chosen her favorite composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff. Together with the Basel Symphony Orchestra, she interprets two of his best-known works. The Third Piano Concerto in D minor as well as the incredibly virtuosic "Paganini Variations".
Around Gershwin is star accordionist Richard Galliano's tribute to George Gershwin, in-terweaving his music with works by early twentieth-century composers such as Debus-sy, Rachmaninoff, Satie, Ravel and Faure, as well as new compositions of his own. Seen through the lense of Galliano's masterful musicianship, these pieces create the sensa-tion of a sonic odyssey.
It is with pride that I present a special edition dedicated to the famous pianist, composer and conductor Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff, whose profound musical genius has left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. His music seamlessly blends elements of Russian Romanticism with influences from Western European traditions, creating a distinctive, expressive style and the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. He has always been a shining example of unwavering dedication to music for me and has always encouraged me to persevere and strive for artistic excellence despite personal and professional challenges. With this album, I pay tribute to Sergei Rachmaninoff on the occasion of his 150th birthday and the 80th anniversary of his death, and present some of his remarkable and timeless works. Another important person in my life, on whose 80th anniversary I am producing this album, is Maestro Vakhtang Jordania. We recorded Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto with the Russian Federal Orchestra in Moscow in 2000, when I was 18 years old, after winning the "Jordania Special Prize" at the International Competition in Italy. That was my very first CD recording and one of the most remarkable moments in my life, motivating me in many ways. Shorena Tsintsabadze
In 2022, 19-year-old pianist Roman Borisov became the youngest winner of the prestigious Kissinger KlavierOlymp competition. After taking part in Alpha's 'Next Generation Mozart Soloists' collection (ALPHA991), he now presents his first solo recital in Alpha's ongoing 'Piano Stories' series, which he sees as a 'conversation with the past', featuring composers inspired by earlier styles to create new works. Born in 1870, the brilliant virtuoso pianist Leopold Godowsky composed twenty-four 'free arrangements' of music by masters of the Baroque. Among these, Roman Borisov has selected pieces based on works by Rameau, Corelli, Scarlatti and John Loeillet (whose pieces were originally mis-attributed to Lully)... In 1931, Rachmaninoff composed his last original work for solo piano: a set of variations on 'La Folia', a 15th-century dance theme that Corelli famously used in one of his violin sonatas. The encounter between the Baroque style and the harmonic richness of the Russian composer is fascinating. The superb Prelude, Chorale and Fugue composed by Cesar Franck in 1884, an obvious tribute to J.S. Bach, concludes Roman's pianistic journey through time.
For every cellist; Poulenc's Cello Sonata is demanding in terms of playing technique. Since he had a great affinity for woodwind instruments; his notation is not really written to suit the conditions of a string instrument. He himself was aware of this fact; so he sought expert advice for the composition from the famous cellist Pierre Fournier; who was also the dedicatee and soloist at the premiere in 1948. "Everything we see; hear and feel is connected with feeling." This is how Leoš Janácek defined his artistic attitude; from which grew an idiosyncratic tonal language hardly comparable with other models or traditions of his time. Pohádka means - translated from Czech - "fairy tale". It is based on a fairy tale by the Russian romanticist Wassilij Shukowskj (1783-1852) about the love of a prince for a princess. Janácek's enthusiasm for Russian culture is evident in this choice of theme. Sergei Rachmaninoff was in the limelight as a generous piano virtuoso; but as a composer he was more of a pensive self-doubter. His first symphony had failed with the public. This experience of failure led him into a depression and creative crisis lasting several years. Three years later; he was released from it through a new type of hypnotherapy; which was tantamount to an artistic rebirth. His second piano concerto arose like a phoenix from the ashes and was enthusiastically celebrated. Shortly thereafter; he created his Sonata for Piano and Violoncello opus 19; which is now considered one of his most brilliant compositions. Thematically and motivically; the four movements lead from darkness into light. It was dedicated to the cellist Anatoly Bradukov.
Rachmaninoff Reflections - Piano Works / Inon Barnatan
PENTATONE
CD
$19.99Nov 10, 2023
Inon Barnatan presents Rachmaninoff Reflections, offering some of the composer’s most cherished piano works, including his Moments musicaux, Prelude in G-Sharp Minor and Barnatan’s own arrangement of the Vocalise. Centrepiece of this project is Barnatan’s breathtaking new piano arrangement of the Symphonic Dances. Inon Barnatan is one of the most admired pianists of his generation (New York Times). His Pentatone discography consists of Time Traveler’s Suite (2021), Beethoven’s complete cello sonatas with Alisa Weilerstein (2022), as well as complete recordings of Beethoven’s piano concertos together with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Alan Gilbert (2019 and 2020).
Love Divine: 2021 St. Olaf Christmas Festival / St. Olaf College Orchestra and Choirs
St. Olaf Records
CD
$21.99Mar 04, 2022
For countless people over several generations, the celebration of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season begins with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a century-old tradition of the college. The first festival was a musical program for the college community planned and directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Music Department. The festival continues as an outgrowth of Christian conviction and an expression of the rich musical heritage at St. Olaf, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The 2021 St. Olaf Christmas Festival features the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Chapel Choir, Manitou Singers, and Viking Chorus, performing as both individual groups and as a massed ensemble. In 1981, Steven Amundson joined the St. Olaf College faculty and became conductor of the St. Olaf Orchestra, a position he has held for 40 years. With Amundson set to retire this spring, St. Olaf College honors him for his years of service and dedication as he conducts his final St. Olaf Christmas Festival.
Rachmaninoff: Stories - Works for Viola & Piano / Rochat, Mısırlıoğlu
Prospero Classical
CD
$21.99Sep 30, 2022
This new release from Mathis Rochat and Erdem Mısırlıoğlu is a collection of works by Sergei Rachmaninoff, imagined for solo viola or viola with piano. All of the works have been arranged by Mathis Rochat. Inspired by Yuri Bashmet's saying "Nobody knows how viola should sound!", Mathis Rochat enjoys the freedom that his instrument gives him in terms of sound coloring and likes to explore all kind of repertoire, new and old, originals or transcriptions. He has appeared as a soloist with the Walton Viola Concerto, Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante and the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto with orchestras such as the Norddeutsche Philharmonie and the Da Capo Ensemble.
Whereas Prokofiev was captivated by Romeo and Juliet, Ravel had shut himself away a quarter of a century earlier in Levallois Perret to compose Gaspard de la nuit, inspired by Aloysius Bertrand's collection of poems subtitled Fantaisies à la manière de Rembrandt et de Callot. In 1973, the Uzbek composer Dilorom Saidaminova paid tribute to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and composed The Walls of Ancient Bukhara, which offers a sonic view of the historic centre of the Central Asian city founded four or five centuries before the common era. Her compatriot Behzod Abduraimov was keen to pay tribute to this little-known composer and record her music, which, like the other two works on this album, is evocative and colourful.
No wonder the stellar team of pianists Eric Zuber and Boris Slutsky found Rachmaninoff's works for two pianos irresistible. The two had a shared history: Mr. Slutsky was Mr. Zuber's piano teacher beginning when the latter was a mere 11. Here, instructor and student have now become equal partners with a shared aesthetic. "Like many pianists (and listeners), I've always felt deeply connected to Rachmaninoff's music," says Eric Zuber. "Precisely identifying what makes it resonate so profoundly with so many people is challenging, but for me, it's his sincerity of expression, emotional honesty, and exceptional craftsmanship in writing for the piano. Through his distinctive musical language, Rachmaninoff captures the complexities of human emotion-our joys, loves, and sorrows-in ways words alone cannot fully express.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances; Isle of the Dead / Slatkin, St. Louis Symphony
Vox
CD
$19.99May 24, 2024
Leonard Slatkin’s Vox recordings of Rachmaninoff’s orchestral works revealed him to be a great advocate for this composer’s music – a position he still holds to this day. These recordings with the St. Louis Symphony achieved classic status upon release in the early 1980s. This is the seventh issue with these artists in the Vox series of Rachmaninoff’s orchestral works newly remastered from the original tapes.
The Elite Recordings for Vox by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.
Beata Szalwinska and Alexander Anisimov write of their new release: “Romances Rachmaninoff is a combination of the beauty of vocal lyricism, rich piano parts full of virtuosity, and texts of great Russian poets. Love, happiness, longing, passion, suffering, sadness, everything that human life is filled with. The songs by Sergei Rachmaninoff are a synthesis of an equal dialogue between a voice and a piano, where each of the artists has a possibility of showing their sensitivity and artistic personality, inspiring one another. The beauty of this music is, and was, a source of inspiration, owing to which transcriptions of the songs for solo piano have been created. The record is a declaration of our admiration for Sergei Rachmaninoff's music, which gave us the possibility of expressing our deepest feelings and emotions.”
First recording by a youngest piano duo of sisters, who already won several competition. The recording is a real business card with music by Rachmaninoff, Liszt and Piazzolla. Technically impeccable and full of energy, they convey to the audience the enthralling emotions of Liszt and Rachmaninoff piano duo masterpieces.
Rachmaninoff: The Bells / Slatkin, St. Louis Symphony
Vox
CD
$19.99Dec 15, 2023
Learn more about Elite Recordings and the revival of their VOX Classics albums on the Naxos Classical Spotlight Podcast!
The three choral masterpieces featured on this recording, conducted by Leonard Slarkin, were originally issued on the Vox label in 1982. The Bells is sung in an English translation by Fanny S. Copeland of the Russian poet Konstantin Belmont's poem. The recordings were produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz whose recordings are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest available. The Russian sung texts, transliterations and English translations are included in the booklet.
REVIEW:
Leonard Slatkin is adept atmost conveying the melancholy, sunset world of Rachmaninoff; when passion is called for, the Slatkin of 44 years ago in these performances musters plenty of it. He certainly guided the St Louis Symphony to become one of the nation’s finest orchestras, and they sound resplendent here.
Rachmaninoff: Concertos Nos. 1 & 4 / Simon, Slatkin, St. Louis Symphony
Vox
CD
$19.99Dec 15, 2023
Learn more about Elite Recordings and the revival of their VOX Classics albums on the Naxos Classical Spotlight Podcast!
Abbey Simon and Leonard Slatkin’s much-admired set of Rachmaninoff’s works for piano and orchestra makes a welcome return to the catalogue with this release of Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 plus the Paganini Rhapsody. These classic performances originally issued on the Vox label in the late 1970s were produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz whose recordings are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest available. Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 with Simon and Slatkin are available on VOX-NX-3014CD.
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 1; Prince Rostislav / Slatkin, St. Louis Symphony
Vox
CD
$19.99Nov 24, 2023
Learn more about Elite Recordings and the revival of their VOX Classics albums on the Naxos Classical Spotlight Podcast!
The orchestral color and grandeur of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 and Prince Rostislav is expertly captured in these naturally balanced recordings produced by the legendary Elite Recordings team of Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz. Newly remastered from the original analogue tapes in high-definition, these acclaimed recordings conducted by Leonard Slatkin were originally issued on Vox in 1977 and 1982.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonies No. 3 & D Minor; The Rock / Slatkin, St. Louis Symphony
Vox
CD
$19.99Nov 24, 2023
Learn more about Elite Recordings and the revival of their VOX Classics albums on the Naxos Classical Spotlight Podcast!
Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3 is a radiant work with warm-hearted voluptuousness, rhythmic vitality and an inventive structure, expertly captured in these naturally balanced recordings produced by the legendary Elite Recordings team of Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz. Newly remastered from the original analogue tapes in high-definition, these acclaimed recordings conducted by Leonard Slatkin were originally issued on Vox in 1979 and 1982.
REVIEW:
There are many excellent versions of these symphonies on the market; in fact, Slatkin himself later recorded an excellent set with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Still, these are excellent performances, excellently recorded, making them eminently recommendable for fans of these gorgeously tuneful symphonies.
Cellist Philipp Schupelius, winner of the 2023 German Music Competition, has just been named one of the 30 most exciting young musicians by Classic FM. His debut album is being released on the GENUIN label as part of the Primavera series, created in collaboration with the German Music Council. Schupelius effortlessly bridges the gap between the Venetian Baroque of Antonio Vivaldi (with the finely nuanced accompaniment of the Metamorphosen Berlin Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt) and the dazzling late-Romantic sounds of Sergei Rachmaninoff (brilliantly supported on piano by Yukino Kaihara). He masterfully captures both Vivaldi's delicate Baroque ornamentation and Rachmaninoff's sweeping passion!
