Rachmaninov: 6 Etudes Tableaux / Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Sa Chen

• Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943): Études-tableaux, Op. 33:
• 1 Études-tableaux, Op. 33: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 2 in C Major 02:44
• 2 Études-tableaux, Op. 39: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No. 4 in B Minor 03:38
• 3 Études-tableaux, Op. 33: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 8 in G Minor 04:18
• 4 Études-tableaux, Op. 39: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No. 6 in A Minor 03:03
• 5 Études-tableaux, Op. 39: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No. 5 in E-Flat Minor 05:31
• 6 Études-tableaux, Op. 33: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 6 in E-Flat Minor 01:52
• Modest Mussorgsky (1839 - 1881): St. John's Night on Bald Mountain, "A Night on the Bare Mountain"
• 7 St. John's Night on Bald Mountain, "A Night on the Bare Mountain" (arr. K. Chernov for piano) 11:51
• Pictures at an Exhibition:
• 8 Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade 01:18
• 9 Pictures at an Exhibition: I. Gnomus 02:48
• 10 Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade 00:50
• 11 Pictures at an Exhibition: II. Old Castle 04:28
• 12 Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade 00:25
• 13 Pictures at an Exhibition: III. Tuileries 01:02
• 14 Pictures at an Exhibition: IV. Bydlo 03:06
• 15 Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade 00:41
• 16 Pictures at an Exhibition: V. Ballet of the Chickens in their Shells 01:15
• 17 Pictures at an Exhibition: VI. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle 02:08
• 18 Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade 01:18
• 19 Pictures at an Exhibition: VII. The Market-Place at Limoges 01:19
• 20 Pictures at an Exhibition: VIII. Catacombae (Sepulcrum romanum) 01:36
• 21 Pictures at an Exhibition: VIII. Con mortuis in lingua mortua 02:04
• 22 Pictures at an Exhibition: IX. The Hut on Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yaga) 03:32
• 23 Pictures at an Exhibition: X. The Great Gate at Kiev 05:02
• Total Runtime 01:05:49

Info for Rachmaninov: 6 Etudes Tableaux / Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

At present, Modest Mussorgsky’s reputation is based principally on three works: his opera Boris Godunov, his orchestral work A Night on the Bare Mountain and his piano cycle Pictures at an Exhibition. Certainly, it must be mentioned that these pieces did not set out on their triumphant journey throughout the world of music in their original form. In fact, they made their appearance in revisions carried out by other composers: Boris and A Night on the Bare Mountain in versions by Rimsky-Korsakov, and the Pictures in the orchestral version by Ravel. On this SACD, the Pictures are performed in their original piano version and the Night in Rimsky-Korsakov’s version, but transcribed for piano by Konstantin N. Chernov.

"As equally demanding as the Etudes-Tableaux is A Night on Bald Mountain, Modest Mussorgsky’s first major work for orchestra - a tale of spirits, witchcraft, and bells tolling at dawn, a sort of 19th century Thriller, 90 years before Michael Jackson. The piano transcription is as difficult as it sounds, and Sa Chen approaches the music with a splendid panache. Nevertheless, in my opinion, she leaves the best until last, with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition from 1874. Inspired by a group of paintings by Victor Hartmann, the work encompasses a myriad of contrasting moods, and Sa Chen captures them all effortlessly, thereby bringing to a close this most satisfying disc." (Richard Haskell, The Whole Note)

“What a relief it was to come to Sa Chen’s intensely felt but textually respectful performance on this disc. Far from diminishing the effect of the music, her sensitive approach enhances it…. Sa Chen presents a powerful counter to Horowitz’s declaration that Pictures was “ineffectually written.” She makes Pictures much more than a vehicle for virtuoso display. The other pieces are equally fine. Sa Chen creates a pleasing suite out of six of Rachmaninoff’s opp. 33 and 39 Etudes-Tableaux, emphasizing a lyricism, wistfulness, and humor in these works that I have not heard so clearly before.” (Fanfare, Ronald E. Grames)

Sa Chen, piano

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