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Nimbus

A Tribute To Tchaikovsky: Vladimir Feltsman

$20.99

Details

Composer
TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.
Artist
Vladimir Feltsman
Format
CD
Label
Nimbus
Released
Jan 01, 2012
Catalog #
NI6162
UPC
710357616228

About

Tchaikovsky miniatures intimately played.

A Tribute to Tchaikovsky is a very attractive CD compilation of short, tuneful pieces highly characteristic of the composer. I suppose it’s not what you would call great piano music, rather a collection of pleasant miniatures that delight the ear. Mr Feltsman calls it intimate salon music and that’s a very good description. The general style is very much in the same vein as Tchaikovsky’s more well-known work The Seasons; if that appeals to you so will the contents of this disc. Most of the items presented here don’t plumb any great musical depths but it’s all very melodic and charming. The Thème original et variations opens the recital in splendid fashion - there’s clearly an innate natural feeling for the idiom, sparkling technique and the playing is beautifully understated as befits this kind of music. There are some similarities to Schumann in this opening piece as the sleeve-note suggests but it’s also unmistakably by Tchaikovsky. The final flourish is tremendously exciting. Two minor masterpieces bring the disc to a conclusion, the Méditation Op. 72 No. 5 with its memorable opening theme and dramatic central climax and the enchanting, Liszt-like Chant élégiaque Op. 72 No.14. The rest of the programme really does enter the world of salon music. There are echoes of Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Liszt to be heard throughout this disc. It would be harsh to suggest that the works contained here are stylised or derivative. The recital is well planned with notable mood-changes from piece to piece - romances, waltzes and tender nocturnes all have their place alongside more lively, technically challenging numbers.
 
Vladimir Feltsman performs the whole programme in a gentle introverted fashion and this approach sounds absolutely right. The playing is first rate with tasteful rubato and excellent control of dynamics; every detail and nuance shines through. This isn’t really concert hall music as such and at no time does the playing become hectoring, over-emotional or virtuosic for the sake of it. It’s all very natural and enjoyable. The pianist’s programme notes state that the pieces in this recording were selected to be heard as a single composition. I personally fail to make any such connection but that’s not really important. What matters here is that we have a marvellous recital on our hands and it deserves to be successful.
 
The piano sound is good rather than outstanding. It’s typical of many modern digital recordings, sounding a bit top-heavy and thin and lacking a true, deep resonant bottom end. It doesn’t have the thrilling resonance of a live concert grand. At least the image is set slightly back, making it a comfortable experience and the music-making has a natural impact. This disc is very much for Tchaikovsky enthusiasts and lovers of tuneful, romantic piano music. I hope nobody is put off by the CD cover which features a rather grumpy looking Feltsman. The image doesn’t quite sit well with the tuneful gems included on this disc.
 
-- John Whitmore, MusicWeb International

Tracklist 12 tracks

  1. 1 6 Morceaux, Op. 19: No. 6. Theme originale et variations 11:38
    Track
    1
    Title
    6 Morceaux, Op. 19: No. 6. Theme originale et variations
    Duration
    11:38
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  2. 2 2 Morceaux, Op. 10: No. 1. Nocturne in F Major 03:52
    Track
    2
    Title
    2 Morceaux, Op. 10: No. 1. Nocturne in F Major
    Duration
    03:52
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  3. 3 Romance in F Minor, Op. 5 05:49
    Track
    3
    Title
    Romance in F Minor, Op. 5
    Duration
    05:49
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  4. 4 No. 5. Romance 07:02
    Track
    4
    Title
    No. 5. Romance
    Duration
    07:02
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  5. 5 No. 6. Valse sentimentale 05:10
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 6. Valse sentimentale
    Duration
    05:10
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  6. 6 12 Morceaux, Op. 40: No. 12. Reverie interrompue 04:20
    Track
    6
    Title
    12 Morceaux, Op. 40: No. 12. Reverie interrompue
    Duration
    04:20
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  7. 7 Capriccio in G-Flat Major, Op. 8 05:41
    Track
    7
    Title
    Capriccio in G-Flat Major, Op. 8
    Duration
    05:41
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  8. 8 No. 8. Dialogue 03:51
    Track
    8
    Title
    No. 8. Dialogue
    Duration
    03:51
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  9. 9 No. 2. Berceuse 06:03
    Track
    9
    Title
    No. 2. Berceuse
    Duration
    06:03
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  10. 10 No. 3. Tendres reproches 02:48
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 3. Tendres reproches
    Duration
    02:48
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  11. 11 No. 5. Meditation 04:50
    Track
    11
    Title
    No. 5. Meditation
    Duration
    04:50
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman
  12. 12 No. 14. Chant elegiaque 07:05
    Track
    12
    Title
    No. 14. Chant elegiaque
    Duration
    07:05
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Vladimir Feltsman