Tracklista:1. Arabesque No. 12. Piazonore3. Land4. Fabian Theory5. Yerkinkn Ampel A6. Fugue7. A Little Prayer8. Nagoya Marimbas9. Paddy10. Courante11. Postlude No. 812. Generally Spoken It's Nothing But Rhythm13. Opening
This Tchaikovsky album is a continuation of the successful cycle which PentaTone started to release in 2011. The symphonies No’s 4, 5 and 6 were released this year and were all receiving critical acclaim. No.5 was CD of the month in BBC Music Magazine. The Russian National Orchestra conducted by Pletnev recorded these works earlier for Deutsche Gramophone and the reviewers generally are of the opinion that the PentaTone cycle is better than that of DG. Symphony 2 and 3 will follow later in 2012, so the cycle will be complete by the end of 2012. Here are some quotes from reviews of the last release (Symphony No. 6)
Although generally known as the ‘Vespers’ in English, Rachmaninov’s great contribution to the history of Russian sacred music is, in fact, a setting of the services of Vespers, Matins and the First Hour as they are celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church and known as the Vsenoshchnoe Bdenie, the ‘All-Night Vigil’. The services of Matins and the First Hour are those of the following day, sung directly after Vespers (which is begun approximately at sunset) ‘by anticipation’. This procedure is characteristic of the Russian rather than the Greek Church, since in the latter the Divine Liturgy is celebrated directly after Matins, served early in the morning. In cathedral and parish churches the Vigil is generally celebrated in an abbreviated form (lasting, nevertheless, for two hours or more) on Saturdays and the eves of major feasts – it is only in monasteries that it is celebrated fully, thus meriting its name.
Stephen Hough has a unique affinity for the music of Chopin, whose music has always been a central part of his repertoire. His earlier Chopin recordings for Hyperion garnered huge critical acclaim. Hough’s name has become synonymous with pianistic elegance, flawless technique and immense musicianship and he has become globally renowned for his engaging and refined Chopin interpretations.In his published Waltzes Chopin brought a new level of sophistication to this popular dance form. His unpublished Waltzes are generally less complex but display considerable wit and charm, qualities ideally suited to Hough’s pianism. The disc is rounded off with the famous E flat major Nocturne, which gives a more lyrical expression to the metre of the waltz.These illuminating and compelling performances are not to be missed.
“an urgently refreshing reading of the St John Passion...with fine singing from the chorus giving dramatic impact to the 'turba' choruses...Suzuki's feeling for the natural timing of numbers - generally on the fast side in the modern period manner - is impeccable, and the soloists make an excellent team, with Gerd Türk an outstanding Evangelist.”
Tracklista:1. Licensed to Kill2. Warfare3. Symphony of Terror4. Harder Than Steel5. Generally Hostile6. The Watching7. Reign of the Tyrants8. Cardiac Arrest9. The Crucifix