20TH CENTURY RUSSIAN PIANO MUSIC

Works by Shostakovich, Pärt, Gubaidulina, Shchedrin, Karayev

GUBAIDULINA: Ciaconna

PÄRT: Partita

SHOSTAKOVICH: 24 Preludes, Op. 34

No. 1 in C Major

No. 2 in A Minor

No. 3 in G Major

No. 10 in C-Sharp Minor

No. 14 in E-Flat Minor

No. 16 in B Minor

No. 17 in A-Flat Major

No. 24 in D Minor

SHCHEDRIN: 24 Preludes and Fugues for Piano

No. 10 in C-Sharp Minor

No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor

KARAYEV: 24 Preludes for Piano

No. 1 in C Major

No. 2 in C Minor

No. 3 in G Major

No. 5 in D Major

No. 6 in D Minor

No. 8 in A Minor

No. 10 in E Minor

No. 15 in D-Flat Major

No. 19 in E-Flat Major

No. 23 in F Major

Vladimir Yurigin-Klevke

The distinguished Russian pianist Vladimir Yurigin-Klevke offers a striking “highlights” view of some outstanding Russian piano music of the 20th Century. Drawing from his brilliant association with the composers on this CD, he offers a revelatory and highly satisfying journey through this colorful piano repertoire. His generous, in-depth booklet notes add to the experience, as he shares with the listener his views on the music’s artistic context.

Vladimir has been closely associated with Russian piano music of the 20th Century since he first came to public attention in 1969. Then just 20 years old, he won first prize at the National Piano Competition of Contemporary Soviet Music, playing the music of the composers on this album. In the 25 years between his “win” and this recording (originally for the Russian Disc Label and re-released here), Vladimir’s insights into this repertoire continued to ripen in many important performances throughout Russia and abroad.

Beginning the program is Gubaidulina‘s stunning Ciaconna — broad, sweeping, large-scale in character. Pärt’s intriguing neoclassical Partita is an early work, reminding us that it was his piano music that first earned him public renown. The idiomatic Shostakovich Preludes offer delicacy, charm, dance and song. The Shchedrin Preludes and Fugues begin with long, elegant melodic lines, and include a “fantastic tarantella.“ Karayev‘s Preludes draw on the composer’s Azerbaijani folk roots and national colorings, mixing in some lively dances and some free improvisational textures.

A striking program offering highlights of outstanding Russian piano literature

Brilliant and rich performances by an authority on this music

Generous, in-depth booklet notes by the pianist himself, offering further enlightenment about the music.

Delos DRD2008