Mikhail Shilyaev was born in Izhevsk, Russia. He started learning piano at the age of six and won several regional piano competitions at a young age. He studied in Russia, Germany, and in the UK. As a soloist with orchestra, he has recently performed with Musikkollegium Winterthur, the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, RNCM Concert Orchestra, the Gregorian Philharmonic Orchestra and with the Gulbenkian Symphony Orchestra. Mikhail lives in London and plays mostly in the UK and Europe. He is interested in historical performance practice and often gives recitals on fortepianos. The choice of instrument for this recording is the result of Mikhail's personal fascination with the spirit of fin de siÃ¨cle, that period when so many musical styles emerged, coexisted, fused and challenged each other. It was an era in which the art of piano playing truly blossomed, and fortunately for us, the newly emerged recording technology documented and preserved this blossoming. The works on this release (with the exception of Mompou's Variations) were composed around the time this particular Bechstein was being built. So the pianistic sound worlds of Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin and Mompou are reflected in the sound world of this, their contemporary instrument.

Tracklist:

Suite Bergamasque, L. 75: I. Prélude
Suite Bergamasque, L. 75: II. Menuet
Suite Bergamasque, L. 75: III. Clair De Lune
Suite Bergamasque, L. 75: IV. Passepied
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Theme. Andantino
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 1, Tranquillo E Molto Amabile
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 2, Grazioso
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 3, Lento
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 4, Espressivo
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 5, Tempo Di Mazurka
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 6, Recitativo
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 7, Allegro Leggiero
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 8, Andante Dolce E Espressivo
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 9, Valse
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 10, Évocation
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 11, Lento Dolce E Legato
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Var. 12, Galope
Variations On A Theme Of Chopin: Epílogo
Jeux D'eau, M. 30
Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte, M. 19
3 Morceaux, Op. 52: No. 1, Poème
3 Morceaux, Op. 52: No. 2, Enigme
3 Morceaux, Op. 52: No. 3, Poème Languide
2 Morceaux, Op. 57: No. 1, Désir
2 Morceaux, Op. 57: No. 2, Caresse Dansée
Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 53
2 Danses, Op. 73: No. 1, Guirlandes
2 Danses, Op. 73: No. 2, Flammes Sombres

UPC: 643824049116
Label: Willowhayne Records
Release Date: 9.21.18
Format: CD

Debussy / Shilyaev - Mikhail Shilyaev Plays Debussy (CD)