Konstantin Scherbakov – 24 Transcendental Etudes (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

For his latest album, available April 5, 2019 from the Steinway & Sons label (STNS 30098), pianist Konstantin Scherbakov pairs Franz Liszt’s Transcendental Études — an ambitious, difficult group of pieces composed with the goal of moving around the circle of fifths twice — with twelve études by Sergei Lyapunov that both complement and complete the rotations that Liszt started. Both sets of études move through the same keys within the circle of fifths, with Lyapunov’s first études picking up where Liszt’s last piece ended.

According to the liner notes, the challenge when performing these two semi-circles as one is to “aim at some sort of unity of style – since that was the idea of Lyapunov’s. But that is in fact rather difficult, because two worlds – the cosmopolitan romanticism of Liszt and the Russian romanticism of Lyapunov – are very different.” The cycles can be performed together, though the collective run time is 130 minutes, making for a lengthy program that can strain both performers and audiences. The reward, however is well worth the wait, since it not only contrasts two differing composition styles, Liszt’s “internationalist bravura style” versus Lyapunov’s “westward-looking Russian intensity,” but also serves as the realization of a challenging and important piece in the piano repertoire.

The main purpose of this record, according to Scherbakov, is to “rediscover and recognize music long considered inconsequential, if not outright inferior – and which has therefore remained in the shadow of works of great and more renowned composers – and to reveal its true and lasting artistic value.”

“One of the most capable, daring and interesting musicians of these days” (Peter Cossé)

“Scherbakov’s keyboard facility, his pinpoint articulation, his unerring sense of rhythmic drive and security, his weaving together of the many layers and voices and his sense of colour and phrasing are all a joy to listen to…” (Gramophone Magazine)

Tracklist:
1-01. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 1, Preludio (00:55)
1-02. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 2, Molto vivace (02:16)
1-03. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 3, Paysage (05:08)
1-04. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 4, Mazeppa (07:17)
1-05. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 5, Feux follets (04:07)
1-06. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 6, Visions (05:52)
1-07. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 7, Eroica (04:48)
1-08. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 8, Wilde Jagd (05:42)
1-09. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 9, Ricordanza (09:59)
1-10. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 10, Allegro agitato molto (04:48)
1-11. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 11, Harmonies du soir (09:11)
1-12. Konstantin Scherbakov – Études d’exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 12, Chasse-neige (05:23)
2-01. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 1, Berceuse (04:00)
2-02. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 2, Rondes des fantômes (03:09)
2-03. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 3, Carillon (06:13)
2-04. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 4, Térek (04:02)
2-05. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 5, Nuit d’eté (08:22)
2-06. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 6, Tempête (04:27)
2-07. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 7, Idylle (05:02)
2-08. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 8, Chant épique (08:30)
2-09. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 9, Harpes éoliennes (06:10)
2-10. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 10, Lesghinka (07:04)
2-11. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 11, Ronde des sylphes (03:58)
2-12. Konstantin Scherbakov – 12 Études d’exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 12, Elégie en mémoire de François Liszt (11:48)