Armenian-born pianist Marianna Shirinyan and Polish pianist Dominik Wizjan began their collaboration at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where Shirinyan is a professor. On this Orchid Classics release they play both Suites for Two Pianos by Rachmaninov - works that are relatively rarely heard compared with much of the composer's output, yet which reveal much about the evolution of his style. The Suite No.1 for two pianos, 'Fantaisie-Tableaux', was composed when Rachmaninov was only 20 and is unusual in his output for it's programmatic movements, each one inspired by a poem and already exhibiting his characteristic virtuosity and aching expressivity. The Suite No. 2 was written seven years later in the wake of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2; he was at the peak of his powers, resulting in music that is both staggeringly demanding to play and bewitching to hear.

Tracklist:

Suite No. 1 For 2 Pianos, Op. 5 "Fantaisie-Tableaux": I. Barcarolle
Suite No. 1 For 2 Pianos, Op. 5 "Fantaisie-Tableaux": II. Oh Night, Oh Love
Suite No. 1 For 2 Pianos, Op. 5 "Fantaisie-Tableaux": III. Tears
Suite No. 1 For 2 Pianos, Op. 5 "Fantaisie-Tableaux": IV. Easter
Suite No. 2 For 2 Pianos, Op. 17: I. Introduction
Suite No. 2 For 2 Pianos, Op. 17: II. Valse
Suite No. 2 For 2 Pianos, Op. 17: III. Romance
Suite No. 2 For 2 Pianos, Op. 17: IV. Tarantelle

UPC: 5060189561919
Label: Orchid Classics
Release Date: 6.3.22
Format: CD

Rachmaninoff / Shirinyan / Wizjan - Suites For Two (CD)