Tchaikovsky – Alto CD

Tchaikovsky Piano Recital

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:26 +0000

“Richter given first-class modern digital sound, and on top technical form…playing of consistent poetry…charming nostalgia…first recommendation for Tchaikovsky’s piano music”( © Penguin Guide 3*) “breathtaking, inspiring artistry” (Gramophone)

1. Nocturne in F major, Op.10 No.1 4.29
2. Waltz-Scherzo in A minor, Op.7 4.14
3. Humoresque in G major, Op.10 No.2 2.39
4. Capriccioso in B flat major, Op.19 No.5 3.52
5. Chanson triste Op.40, No.2 2.57
6. Waltz in A flat major, Op.40 No.8 3.20
7. Romance in F minor, Op.5 6.34
8. Romance in F major, Op.51 No.5 8.39
9. Un poco di Chopin, Op.72 No.15 3.25
10. L’espiègle, Op.72 No.12 2.07
11. Réverie du soir, Op.19 No.1 4.20
12. Menuetto-Scherzoso, Op.51 No.3 4.07
13. Valse de salon, Op.51 No.1 5.04
14. Méditation, Op.72 No.5 5.19

From “The Seasons” Op.37 bis

15. No.5 May. White Nights (Andantino-allegro giocoso) 4.28
16. No.6 June. Barcarolle (Andante cantabile) 5.43
17. No.11 November. Troika (Allegro moderato) 2.55
18. No.1 January. By the fireplace
(Moderato semplice ma espressivo) 5.13

Tchaikovsky: Grand Sonata Op.37 & Children’s Album Op.39

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:43:42 +0000

“Tchaikovsky wrote the Children’s Album and the Op.37 Sonata at the same time,b and they’re so different. It amazes me that these are so little known in UK. The Children’s Album is fantastic – a masterpiece. He wrote three volumes of piano music, and what of it is known here? … The trouble is, Tchaikovsky is almost always played badly! There are two wrong ways: the Russian wrong way and the Western wrong way. Most Russians make a rough sound, full of violent emotions, heart on the sleeve. Westerners often have a refinement that the Russians lack, and which is an important part of Tchaikovsky too, but it has no power.” (Mikhail Pletnev)

Children’s Album, Op. 39
[5] Prière du matin 1:38
[6] Le matin en hiver 1:06
[7] Maman 1:13
[8] Le petit cavalier 0:39
[9] Marche des soldats de bois 0:49
[10] La nouvelle poupée 0:36
[11] La poupée malade 2:58
[12] Enterrment de la poupée 1:59
[13] Valse 1:16
[14] Polka 0:44
[15] Mazurka 1:07
[16] Chanson Russe 0:38
[17] Le paysan prélude 1:19
[18] Chanson populaire 0:35
[19] Chanson Italienne 0:53
[20] Mélodie antique Français 1:27
[21] Chanson Allemande 0:54
[22] Chanson Napolitaine 1:08
[23] Conte de la vielle bonne 0:54
[24] La sorcière 0:45
[25] Douce reverie 2:36
[26] Chant de l’alouette 0:56
[27] A l’église 3:14
[28] L’orgue de barbarie 1:00

Pyotr Tchaikovsky Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Op.41 Dmitri Bortnyansky: Concerto for Choir XXXII

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:58 +0000

“Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is the earliest sacred composition by Tchaikovsky and was written in 1878, at the time of his work on Eugene Onegin. This was recorded in the Cathedral of the Dormition, Smolensk. The performance, the acoustics of the Cathedral and the quality of this recording are all outstanding.” (Evgeni Kostitsyn, composer) “Even though Tchaikovsky’s Liturgy of St John bears little resemblance to znamenny chant, a simple block-chord style predominates, although occasionally Tchaikovsky makes use of antiphonal vocal effects and there are passages that might have dated from the previous century in parts” (J.Murray)

Liturgy Op.41 (In Church Slavonic)
1. Lord, Have Mercy 2:59
2. Glory to the Father and to the Son 3:35
3. Come, Let Us Worship 4:38
4. Alleluia 0:38
5. Glory to Thee, O Lord 3:20
6. Cherubic Hymn 8:56
7. Lord, Have Mercy 1:17
8. I Believe in One God, The Father, The Almighty 3:44
9. Merciful Peace 3:38
10. We Hymn Thee 4:09
11. It is Truly Fitting 4:42
12. Amen. And With Your Spirit, Lord Have Mercy 1:18
13. Our Father 3:32
14. Praise the Lord from the Heavens 2:24
15. Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord 5:00
Dmitri Bortnyansky (1751-1825)
16. Concerto for choir XXXII “Lord, Make Me to Know Mine End” 12:58
(Soloists: Irina Arkhipova, mezzo-soprano; Sergei Babeshko, baritone)

Great Russian String Quartets

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

(Borodin) “movement-by-movement comparison makes it clear that …the Borodins win hands down … their internal balance at every point is irreproachable (Gramophone) (Glazunov): “reconciliation between the traditions of Borodin and Tchaikovsky … Shostakovich Quartet have great feeling for this music and play with real conviction” (Penguin Guide); (Tchaikovsky): “their earlier recordings (as here) are unassailable recommendations. Look no further” (Penguin Guide); (Prokofiev): “an excellent performance, which at times even matches the abandon and attack of the Hollywoods. The Second a work of real quality which has the astringent flavouring and poetic flair that characterize Prokofiev at his best” (Gramophone) (Shostakovich): “(They)…bring a special intensity to this repertoire as well as effortless technical address, and a tonal blend which gives their readings a strong claim on the collector’s allegiance.” (©Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Alexander Borodin (1833-87) Disc A
STRING QUARTETS No.l (1877-9) and No.2 (1881)

String Quartet No.1 in A major
[1] Moderato – Allegro 13:40
[2] Andante con moto 8:20
[3] Scherzo: Prestissimo 5:25
[4] Andante – Allegro risoluto 10:34
String Quartet No.2 in D major
[5] Allegro moderato 7:53
[6] Scherzo: Allegro 4:47
[7] Nocturne: Andante 8:12
[8] Finale: Andante – Vivace 6:51
ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Disc B
String Quartets No. 3 in G major op.26 “Slavonic”;
No.5 in D minor Op.70; Music From “The Fridays”
String Quartet No.3 in G major, Op.26 (28:04)
[1] I. Moderato 5:37
[2] II. Interlude. Moderato 5:14
[3] III. In Mazurka Style. Allegretto 6:00
[4] IV. Finale. Une fete slave. Allegro moderato 11:12
String Quartet No.5 in D minor, Op.70 (28:53)
[5] I. Andante – Allegro 9:19
[6] II. Scherzo. Allegretto 4:22
[7] III. Adagio 8:04
[8] IV. Finale. Allegro 7:06
“The Fridays” cycle for String Quartet:
[09] Prelude & Fugue (Book 1, No.1) 10:22
[10] Kuranta (Book II, No.6) 2:04
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Disc C
String Quartets Nos.1 & 2
String Quartet No.l in B minor, Op.50 (26:21)
1. Allegro 8 :07
2. Andante molto. Vivace 7:00
3. Andante 11:09
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.92 (23:40)
4. Allegro sostenuto 6:33
5. Adagio 8:26
6. Allegro 8:37
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93) Disc D
String Quartets No.1, No.2
String Quartet No.1 in D major, Op.11
[1] Moderato e semplice 10:26
[2] Andante cantabile 6:35
[3] Scherzo: Allegro non tanto 3:43
[4] Finale: Allegro giusto 6:42
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.22
[5] Adagio – Moderato assai 11:36
[6] Scherzo: Allegro giusto 5:23
[7] Andante ma non tanto 12:23
[8] Finale: Allegro con moto 5:42
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) Disc E
GREAT STRING QUARTETS Nos. 4, 8, 10
String Quartet No.4 in D Major, Op.83 (1949) 24:36
1. I. Allegretto 3:55
2. II. Andantino 7:18
3. III. Allegretto – IV. Allegretto 13:22
String Quartet No.8 in C Minor, Op.110 (1960) 20:53
4. I. Largo 4:39
5. II. Allegro molto 2:45
6. III. Allegretto 4:33
7. IV. Largo 5:28
8. V. Largo 3:26
String Quartet No.10 in Ab Major, Op.118 (1964) 23:57
9. I. Andante 4:10
10. II. Allegretto furioso 4:10
11. III. Adagio 6:34
12. IV. Allegretto – Andante 9:01
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) Disc F
GREAT STRING QUARTETS Nos. 7, 9, 11, 13
String Quartet No.7 in F# Minor, Op.108 (1960)* 12:06
[1] I. Allegretto 3:17 [2] II. Lento 3:18
[3] III. Allegro – Allegretto 5:30
String Quartet No.9 in Eb Major, Op.117 (1964)* 28:22
[4] I. Moderato con moto 4:15 [5] II. Adagio 4:42
[6]. III. Allegretto 3:53 [7] IV. Adagio 4:42 [8] V. Allegro 10:47
String Quartet No.11 in F Minor, Op.122 (1966)** 16:38
[9] I. Introduction: Andantino 2:11 [10] II. Scherzo: Allegretto 2:40
[11] III. Recitative: Adagio 1:27 [12] IV. Etude: Allegro 1:15
[13] V. Humoresque: Adagio 1:08 [14] VI. Elegy: Adagio 4:31
[15] VII. Finale: Moderato 3:22
String Quartet No.13 in Bb Minor, Op.138 (1970)**
[16] Adagio – Doppio movimento – Tempo primo 18:12

Schumann & Tchaikovsky Piano Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:58 +0000

(Schumann): “lacks no style” (Tchaikovsky): “The element of struggle for which this work is famous is all too clear: these two musical giants did not always agree” (Penguin Guide)

Robert Schumann
PIANO CONCERTO in A minor, Op. 54

1. I. Allegro affettuoso 14:15
2. II. Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso 5:08
3. III. Allegro vivace 10:10

Pyotr Tchaikovsky
PIANO CONCERTO No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

4. I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito 21:50
5. II. Andantino semplice – Prestissimo – Tempo I 6:44
6. III. Allegro con fuoco 7:01

Tchaikovsky: String Quartets No.1, No.2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:36 +0000

“the Shostakovich Quartet is notable for their powerful playing and their ability to get deeply into the emotions of a work” (MusicWeb, 2008) “versions by the Shostakovich Quartet are also masterly…the early pieces dating from Composer’s student days….are of interest as is anything that the master penned…” (c) Penguin Guide

Five Early Pieces
[1] No.1 in D major 1:08
[2] No.2 in Bb major 1:31
[3] No.3 in E major 1:17
[4] No.4 in E minor 2:56
[5] No.5 in G major 1:50
String Quartet No.1 in D major, Op.11
[6] Moderato e semplice 10:33
[7] Andante cantabile 6:36
[8] Scherzo: Allegro non tanto 3:33
[9] Finale: Allegro giusto 9:32
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.22
[10] Adagio – Moderato assai 12:10
[11] Scherzo: Allegro giusto 5:43
[12] Andante ma non tanto 11:59
[13] Finale: Allegro con moto 6:33

Piotyr Tchaikovsky (1840-93)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:05 +0000

(of his previous Tchaikovsky recordings) “As I have often felt with Rozhdestvensky’s recordings, their warm, easy spontaneity,…. suggests sessions where the aim was to communicate immediately and warmly in a near equivalent to live performance” (Gramophone)

‘Manfred’ Symphony Op.58

[1] I. Lento lugubre – Moderato con moto 16:01
[2] II. Vivace con spirito 9:38
[3] III. Andante con moto 10:35
[4] IV. Allegro con fuoco 18:31
[5] Overture in C minor (no Op.no) 13:50

Tchaikovsky: Eugen Onegin

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:37:41 +0000

First release in the West of this thrilling production from 1984, sporting a class cast of some of the finest Russian opers stars of the period.

Recorded Moscow Radio Studio 5; Licensed from A-Tempo / Aquarius
Mastered for Alto by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)

Tatiana	Tamara Milashkina (soprano)
Olga, her sister	Tamara Sinyavskaya (contralto)
Larina, landowner and mother	Tatiana Tugarinova (mezzo-soprano)
Filipovna, their nanny	Larisa Avdeeva (contralto)
Chorus Master	Boris Meyzherovsky (tenor)
Lensky, poet and Olga’s fìancé	Vladimir Atlantov (tenor)
Eugene Onegin, his friend	Yuri Mazurok (baritone)
Major, visiting guest	Anton Dzhaparidze (bass)
Triquet, visitor from France	Lev Kuznetsov (tenor)
Gremin, prince	Yevgeny Nesterenko (bass)
Zaretsky, Lensky’s second	Vladimir Yaroslavtsev (bass)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre Moscow Gennady Cherkasov, conductor

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 “Little Russian” and 3 “Polish”

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:57 +0000

Critics have hailed the first three releases in Alto’s survey of the Tchaikovsky Symphonies conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky. Musicweb’s Rob Barnett wrote, “This Fourth is kinetically magnificent. … It benefits from Russian wind and a towering passion that in the first and last movements has the brass phalanx taking voluptuous rage close to tragic rupture. … The Fifth [has] an indomitable gait and with fiery inspiration in the finale which I had to replay immediately. … The Sixth is outright superb… this is blisteringly imaginative Tchaikovsky! Not once does Rozhdestvensky loosen his extraordinary grip. It’s even more effective than the Mravinsky-Leningrad.”

The Second and Third Symphonies may be less well known than his last three, but they are brimming with imaginative and memorable melodies and high Romantic passion. Rozhdestvensky and his superb orchestra illuminate these works’ grandeur and dramatic episodes, captured in sensational sound.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 / Serenade for Strings

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:57 +0000

On Rozhdestvensky’s recorded versions of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4: “First-class… a very striking performance, Russian in feeling yet… never going over the top… holds back his big guns… slow movement is phrased very evenly… scherzo is like an arabesque, the string pizzicatos light and gentle. … Then the finale bursts on the listener… with its power to shock at that first fortissimo”
— Gramophone

Gennadi Rozhdestvensky is one of the most eminent and revered conductors of the day. Born in 1931, he began conducting only a few years after the end of World War II and became one of the world’s most popular Soviet era conductors as a result not only of tours with Soviet orchestras but the first Soviet conductor — a novelty at the time — ever to be appointed principal conductor of various foreign orchestras: the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and the Stockholm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, Rozhdestvensky continued to maintain a high profile both in Russia and internationally.

Rozhdestvensky’s wide-ranging repertoire includes a number of high-profile world premieres, but also a natural focus on Russian music of the romantic era. Alto is pleased to make available for the first time outside the former Warsaw Pact Rozhdestvensky’s outstanding recording of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony with the USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra, coupled with Vladimir Fedoseyev’s recording of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.

• Essential Tchaikovsky from an internationally renowned Soviet-era giant of the podium – first CD release outside of Eastern Europe!

Piotr Il’ich Tchaikovsky

Symphony No.4 in f minor, Op.36

1 Andante sostenato 18:47
2 Andantino in modo di canzone 8:17
3 Scherzo. Pizzicato ostinato – allegro 5:03
4 Allegro con fuoco 7:53

USSR Mininstry of Culture Orchestra
Gennady Rozhdestvensky, conductor

Serenade for String Orchestra in C Major, Op. 48

5 Pezzo in forma di sonatina. Andante non troppo. Allegro moderato 11:21
6 Valse. Moderato, dolce e molto grazioso 3:46
7 Elegia, larghetto elegiaco 10:03
8 Finale (Thema Russo). Andante. Allegro con spirito 7:51

Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Vladimir Fedoseyev, conductor