The London Symphony Orchestra, led by formidable conductor Yondani Butt, presents this outstanding recording of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Symphony No. 6 ‘Pathetique,’ and The Voyevoda- Symphonic Ballad. The programme was recorded in 2012 at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. Yondani Butt was born in Macau. He studied conducting with Wolfgang Vacano (1906-1985) at Indiana University, majoring in chemistry. He continued to study conducting with Josef Blatt (1906-1999) at the University of Michigan while pursuing his chemistry degree. Hailed by Robert Marsh of the Chicago Sun Times as “an outstanding talent,” Yondani Butt has received acclamation from critics and audiences for his many album recordings and concert performances. He died on August 28th, 2014.

Classical Music

Award-winning pianist Lance Coburn has been schooled in and inspired by the Russian pianistic tradition, and sees this 'potpourri' of rarities as something akin to a snapshot of Tchaikovsky's more famous works. Ranging from wistful sentiment to fiery complexity, the Theme with Variations comes from Tchaikovsky's period of studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, while the transcriptions include a medley of themes rescued from the early opera Voyevoda, the emotionally charged Aveu passionne, and a Coronation March that the composer described as 'noisy but bad.' The works in this charming and fascinating program fall into the category of 'rarities' that are more often found in complete editions but hardly ever beyond. The title 'Potpourri' is apt here in many regards, the works here spanning Tchaikovsky's student days to a Military March in B-flat composed in the year of his death. The only piece actually composed for solo piano is the Theme and Variations in A minor, but this takes nothing away from the collection which provides valuable insights into Tchaikovsky's less frequently explored output, and delivers a recital of unique attractiveness.

The places visited include St Petersburg, Peter the Great's new westward-looking capital, and the traditional capital, Moscow. In Ukraine we see Odessa with the famous Potemkin Steps and something of the surrounding countryside of a region that for long offered holiday resorts to those living in Moscow or St Petersburg.

“No praise could be high enough for such an adventurous and challenging programme, particularly when offered in such vivid and affectionate performances. Enescu’s Third Sonata is a wholly personal creation, played by Nicola Meecham with brilliant dexterity and musical devotion.” (Bryce Morrison, Gramophone) This is just one of the superlative reviews which greeted Nicola Meecham’s album for SOMM of works by Kodaly, Enescu and Janacek. We now welcome her back in a fabulous recital of piano music by Tchaikovsky which includes the two rarely performed or recorded Piano Sonatas. The large-scale, majestic Grande Sonate in G major Op. 37, Tchaikovsky’s most significant work for solo piano, and the earlier Sonata in C sharp minor of 1865. The G major sonata was published during Tchaikovsky’s lifetime, having been written in 1878. The work opens with a magnificent chordal gesture and an initial richly inventive theme, which is threaded through and across all four movements. In both sonatas, Tchaikovsky is in total command of his chosen structure and develops his ideas with great originality and ease. The effective keyboard writing apparent in both works betokens a composer thoroughly at home in the medium. The present release includes four of Tchaikovsky’s shorter solo pieces, the Nocturne and Feuillet d’album, Opus 19 and the Humoresque Op. 10 No. 2, all of which strengthened his reputation as a distinctive composer of solo piano pieces. The delightful Doumka in C minor paints a picture akin to a rustic Russian scene and is one of the finest of all of Tchaikovsky’s shorter solo piano works.

Pianist Alexandra Dariescu presents a reimagining of the classic ballet tale of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, with Alex herself taking the role of Clara, now a little girl longing to fulfil her dream of becoming a pianist. Alexandra performs extracts from the ballet in transcriptions by luminaries including Mikhail Pletnev and Percy Grainger, interspersed with narration from TV presenter Lindsey Russell in a new version of the story by Jessica Duchen. The lavish release includes illustrations by Adam Smith, adapted from Yeast Culture's cutting-edge digital animation that accompanies the show's live performances. Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu, recently named as 'one of 30 pianists under 30 destined for a spectacular career' (International Piano Magazine), dazzles audiences worldwide with her effortless musicality and captivating stage presence.

Classical Music

At first glance Tchaikovsky does not seem easily to fit the "Chill" bill. He is known for pieces such as the 1812 Overture, music which is impassioned and animated in distinctly Russian style, often fiery, even ballistic, and infused with darker moments inspired by the composer's personal turmoil. However he also wrote some of the most beautiful, fragile and ethereal ballet music that has ever been choreographed, as well as lyrical slow symphonic movements and haunting songs. His unique talent lay in his inspired and inventive use of melody, seen at it's best in works such as the Nutcracker with it's myriad infectious tunes. Many of Tchaikovsky's melodies are based on folksongs he collected, predominantly Russian and Ukrainian but also Polish, Italian, Spanish and French (this last seen in the Piano Concerto No. 1, in this collection).

Classical Music

Tchaikovsky composed his third Symphony in 1875. It contains subtle inwardness and grandeur, sometimes too much grandeur, elated folkloristic simplicity and contrapuntal complexities; the intimacy of chamber music and expansive Cinemascope Sound. This SACD is completed by excerpts from Tchaikovsky's famous ballet Sleeping Beauty.

Classical Music

Even though Tchaikovsky believed that he had "written himself out" after his Fourth Symphony, he composed his Fifth within a few weeks. The world premiere took place in 1888 under the composer's direction in St. Petersburg. It was only moderately successful, but today the Fifth is one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score combines with the magical choreography inspired by Lev Ivanov in an atmosphere of fantasy and the supernatural. Hoffmann’s Christmas story unfolds with breathtaking splendour and beauty in the most festive and enduring of all ballets. The Royal Ballet, whose Director, Sir Anthony Dowell, plays Drosselmeyer, is joined by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Anthony Dowell, Alina Cojocaru, Ivan Putrov, Miyako Yoshida, Jonathan Cope The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Evgenii Svetlanov

FORMAT: NTSC; REGION 1 | PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9 | APPROX RUN TIME: 133 MINS | SOUND: DOLBY SURROUND / LPCM STEREO

Extra features include
• The Transformation Revealed Behind-the-scenes secrets of the spectacular Christmas tree scene
• Producer Sir Peter Wright on the production and Sir Anthony Dowell on the role of Herr Drosselmeyer
• Fixed wide shots of the Snowflakes and Transformation scenes

R E V I E W S:

‘...gorgeously staged Nutcracker.’ -- The Guardian

‘…fabulously entertaining. …a deliciously mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer played by Dowell. I plan on returning to this ‘Nutcracker’ many,many times.’ -- The San Francisco Chronicle

‘Peter Wright’s traditional production of The Nutcracker is lovely Christmas stuff, with lots of tutus and tiaras.’ -- The Mail on Sunday

‘Now you don’t have to leave the comfort of your armchair to enjoy one of the most magical productions of recent years whenever you wish – in pin-sharp widescreen with CD-quality Dolby Digital surround sound. …Needless to say, the dancers are top class, the costumes exquisite, the music delightful and the sets as sumptuous as a wedding cake. Enjoy the best that ballet has to offer from the best seat in the house – your own.’ -- HMV Choice