Pianist Daniil Trifonov, who captured global attention by becoming the first Russian pianist in 20 years to win the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011, has released a new album titled "Tchaikovsky," Universal Music announced on October 15.
This new album, dedicated exclusively to the works of Tchaikovsky, is being released as a two-CD set under Universal Music's Deutsche Grammophon label on this day. The digital version was released on October 3.
The album features Tchaikovsky's solo piano works that reveal his intimate and personal side, exploring themes of childhood, his mother, and family. The collection includes "Album for the Young," "Piano Sonata in C-sharp minor," "Theme and Variations in F major," and the concert suite from "The Sleeping Beauty," arranged by Russian pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev.
Prior to the official album release, "Andante" from "The Sleeping Beauty" suite was made available for streaming and download on July 25. This was followed by the release of "Sweet Dreams" from "Album for the Young" on August 22, and "The Silver Fairy" from "The Sleeping Beauty" on September 12.
The two pieces from "The Sleeping Beauty" can be enjoyed as e-video performances, recorded live last spring at the Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona. The recital featuring the sonata and the suite from "The Sleeping Beauty" is available for streaming on STAGE+.
Trifonov, renowned for his exceptional technique and profound musicality, has earned the nickname "flawless pianist." He studied at the Saint Petersburg Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
The "Piano Sonata in F-sharp minor" included on the album was composed during Tchaikovsky's final year as a student at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. Known as the "Conservatory Sonata," it was not published during his lifetime. Trifonov described this piece as a "hidden masterpiece," noting, "It is filled with flashes of genius and encompasses a wide range of emotional changes, from youthful fire to overflowing vitality."
"Album for the Young" is a suite of 24 pieces inspired by Schumann's work, where light and darkness coexist. It is believed that Tchaikovsky reflected the abrupt end of his happy childhood, having lost his mother at the age of 14, in this composition.
Trifonov first encountered Tchaikovsky's "Theme and Variations in F major" through an old recording by the young Van Cliburn, who was 23 at the time. The recording dates back to Cliburn's victory at the first Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958. Trifonov recalled, "From the moment I first heard this piece, I was deeply impressed by both Tchaikovsky's folk-inspired themes and the ever-changing, contrasting variations. This work is a bold experiment where meticulousness and wonder coexist." The piece consists of a theme and twelve variations.
The final track, "The Sleeping Beauty" suite, was completed by Pletnev in 1978 when he was 21 years old. Trifonov commented, "The young Pletnev went beyond merely reproducing the instruments-he created an orchestra from the piano itself. This suite sparkles with Tchaikovskian colors, retaining the character of a fairy tale and a dance, shining like a jewel."
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