SEMYON ALEXEYEVICH BARMOTIN (1877-1939) was a student of Balakirev and Rimsky-Korsakov, and his fate under the Soviet regime in the 1930s remains a mystery, but what survives of his music is impressive in both scale and content. These world premiÃ¨re recordings are filled with color and contrast: the Tema con variazioni transforms it's material into a multitude of moods to conclude in a symphonic march, while the 20 Preludes are striking in their sophisticated harmonies and heightened emotional impact. Christopher Williams is a music graduate of Cardiff University and now leads a busy and varied professional life as a pianist, composer, conductor, teacher and arranger. He is currently assistant director of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and is a pianist for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with whom he has performed at the BBC Proms and recorded for the Chandos and Hyperion labels. In addition to his work as a soloist, Williams is in great demand as an accompanist and chamber musician, and has partnered many of the prominent instrumentalists of his generation including Philippe Schartz, Tim Thorpe, David Childs, David Pyatt and Tine Thing Helseth. He has also appeared on BBC TV and been broadcast on BBC Radio and Radio Luxembourg. His recording of Brahms transcriptions for Grand Piano was featured as album of the week on NDR Kultur.

Tracklist:

20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 1: No. 1, Adagietto Con Dolore
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 1: No. 2, Allegretto Con Dolce Maniera
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 1: No. 3, Moderato Con Morbidezza
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 1: No. 4, Andantino
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 1: No. 5, Moderato Con Spirito
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 2: No. 6, Allegro Ma Non Tanto
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 2: No. 7, Andante Affettuoso
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 2: No. 8, Allegro Con Grazia
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 2: No. 9, Andantino Cantabile
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 2: No. 10, Allegro Moderato Con Spirito
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 3: No. 11, Adagietto Con Anima
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 3: No. 12, Vivace Con Impeto
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 3: No. 13, Andante Religioso
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 3: No. 14, Allegro Con Agilita
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 3: No. 15, Andante Con Molto Espressione
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 4: No. 16, Allegro Assai
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 4: No. 17, Andante Cantabile
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 4: No. 18, Moderato - Allegro Moderato
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 4: No. 19, Larghetto Con Tristezza
20 Preludes, Op. 12, Book 4: No. 20, Tempo Di Marcia
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Theme. Andantino Cantabile
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 1, Allegro
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 2, Andantino
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 3, Presto Assai
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 4, Andantino Con Anima
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 5, Moderato
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 6, Andantino
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 7, Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 8, Valse. Tempo Di Valse
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 9, Mazurka. Andantino
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 10, Andante Maestoso
Theme & Variations, Op. 1: Var. 11, Andante
Theme & Variations, Op. 1, Var. 12: Finale. Tempo Di Marcia

UPC: 747313979929
Label: Grand Piano
Release Date: 6.12.20
Format: CD

Barmotin / Williams - Piano Music (CD)