Tchaikovsky / Kempf Seasons & Grand Sonata Super-Audio CD

Peter Tchaikovsky composed one of the most popular piano concertos in the repertory, but in solo recital programs his name is rarely seen. Although little known, his solo piano music can nevertheless be surprisingly rewarding. It includes two large-scale sonatas, a youthful work in C-Sharp Minor, and the Grand Sonata in G major recorded here and a large number of mainly short pieces published either singly or as collections throughout the composer's life. This type of work was profitable for composer and publishers, and an indication of the relative commercial value comes from a letter in which Tchaikovsky offers his publisher the Grand Sonata for only 50 roubles, but asks 240 roubles for the twenty-four little pieces of his Children's Album, Op. 39. A work of big, public gestures, the sonata is anything but childish and to a large extent Tchaikovsky keeps the lyrical ideas that came so naturally to him firmly under control. In contrast, lyricism was given free rein two years earlier, in the twelve pieces that make up The Seasons. They were the result of a commission for a series of piano pieces to appear in a monthly St Petersburg journal. Some ten years after the serial publication in the journal the pieces appeared in print as a collection which has become Tchaikovsky's best-known solo piano music. As with much of his work in this genre, the ultimate model is Schumann: January, for example, combines hints of Schumannesque Innigkeit with Tatiana's music in Eugene Onegin. With the present recording Freddy Kempf, who made his acclaimed d?but recording with Schumann's Carnaval and has gone on to demonstrate his versatility in programs taking in Bach as well as Liszt and Stravinsky, now adds Tchaikovsky to his discography.

1. I. Moderato E Risoluto 2. II. Andante Non Troppo Quasi Moderato 3. III. Scherzo. Allegro Giocoso 4. IV. Finale. Allegro Vivace 5. January (By the Fireside). Moderato Semplice Ma Espressivo 6. February (Carnival). Allegro Giusto 7. March (Song of the Lark). Andantino Espressivo 8. April (Snowdrop). Allegretto Con Moto E Un Poco Rubato 9. May (May Nights). Andantino 10. June (Barcarolle). Andante Cantabile 11. July (Song of the Reaper). Allegro Moderato Con Moto 12. August (The Harvest). Allegro Vivace 13. September (The Hunt). Allegro Non Troppo 14. October (Autumn Song). Andante Doloroso E Molto Cantabile 15. November (Troika). Allegro Moderato 16. December (Christmas). Tempo Di Valse