Shchedrin / Mariinsky Orchestra / Gergiev / Popov Left-Hander CD

Specially written for Gergiev on the occasion of his 60th birthday, Rodion Shchedrin's The Left-Hander is a comedy of Russians and Englishmen, new technology, old traditions and strong drink. The Mariinsky Opera gave the work it's premiere in St Petersburg in July 2013. One of music's greatest living humorists, Rodion Shchedrin's work is laced with pitch-black irony and deadpan wit. Based on Nikolai Leskov's classical satirical novella of 1881, The Tale of Cross-Eyed Lefty from Tula and the Steel Flea, The Left-Hander is a wry exploration of Russia's relationship with the West in general and England in particular. 'Gergiev conducted Shchedrin's 2013 score with understated intensity and musical humility, transporting us to the haunting world of Nikolai Leskov's original novella. Shchedrin's scoring is characteristically inventive and colorful... The forging music is witty and humorous.' Telegraph 'Unexpectedly moving and stunningly well sung.' The

1. 01. the Winter Palace 2. 02. Ataman Platov's Story 3. 03. Inspection of the Armoury (Terzetto) 4. 04. the River Tulitsa (Dissolve) 5. 05. Buckingham Palace. Orchestral Interlude I 6. 06. the Royal Presentation 7. 07. Seven Turns of the Key. Orchestral Interlude II 8. 08. the Flea 9. 09. Arioso of Alexander I and Scena 10. 10. Again in the Winter Palace (During the Reign of Tsar Nicholas I) 11. 11. a Village in Tula and the Left-Hander's Rude Songs 12. 12. Ataman Platov Arrives in Tula 13. 13. the Russians Refashion the English Flea (Choral Interlude) 14. 14. Ataman Platov Returns to Tula 15. 15. the Journey from Tula to St Petersburg. Orchestral Interlude III 16. 16. Ataman Platov and the Left-Hander Arrive at the Winter Palace 17. 17. the Microscope Is Brought in. Orchestral Interlude IV 18. 18. the English Flea Subjected to Russian Modification 19. 19. Act One Finale 20. 20. the Left-Hander and the Flea at Buckingham Palace 21. 21. the Russified Flea 22. 22. Delighted English Question the Left-Hander 23. 23. the English Brides (Love Canzonets) 24. 24. Attempts at Persuasion (Recitative and Ensemble) 25. 25. Know How. Orchestral Interlude V 26. 26. How to Clean Your Musket? 27. 27. a Vision of Russia 28. 28. the Left-Hander Sets Sail for Russia 29. 29. the Storm. Orchestral Interlude VI 30. 30. Return to St Petersburg 31. 31. Final Scenes (Ordeal in the Infirmaries) 32. 32. Epilogue