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 dÃ©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.

Tracklist:

Grand Sonata In G Major, Op. 37, Th 139: I. Moderato E Risoluto
Grand Sonata In G Major, Op. 37, Th 139: II. Andante Non Troppo Quasi Moderato
Grand Sonata In G Major, Op. 37, Th 139: III. Scherzo. Allegro Giocoso
Grand Sonata In G Major, Op. 37, Th 139: IV. Finale. Allegro Vivace
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: I. January. By The Hearth
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: II. February. The Carnival
III. March. Song Of The Lark
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: IV. April. Snowdrop
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: V. May. White Nights
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: VI. June. Barcarolle
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: VII. July. Reaper's Song
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: VIII. August. The Harvest
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: IX. September. The Hunt
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: X. October. Autumn Song
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: XI. November. On The Troika
The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: XII. December. Christmas

UPC: 7318599921402
Label: Bis
Release Date: 1.8.16
Format: CD

Tchaikovsky / Kempf - Tchaikovsky: The Seasons & Grand Sonata (CD)