Denis Matsuev, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev – Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos Nos.1 & 2 (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:18:32 minutes | 1,42 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Mariinsky
Since winning the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1998, Denis Matsuev has established a reputation as one of Russia’s leading pianists. His début release on the Mariinsky label featuring Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 3 and Paganini Variations, received widespread acclaim. His second Mariinsky release featured piano concerts by Shostakovich and Shchedrin, which was awarded Clef du Mois by ResMusica and ***** by Audiophile Audition. For his third release, Matsuev turns to the music of Tchaikovsky, with the two Piano Concertos. His first Piano Concerto is one of his most popular works: Tchaikovsky balances core motivic elements with a sense of lyrical spontaneity to create a technically challenging but instantly appealing work.
The Piano Concerto No.2 was dedicated to pianist Nikolai Rubinstein, with whom the composer had a close working relationship. Tchaikovsky wrote, “I want to dedicate it to N. G. Rubinstein in recognition of his magnificent playing of my First Concerto and of my Sonata, which left me in utter rapture after he performed it for me in Moscow.” After a tremendous piano cadenza in the first movement, Tchaikovsky allows other instruments to shine, with prominent solos for violin and cello in the second movement.
Other Tchaikovsky recordings on the Mariinsky label include a DVD/Bluray release of his last three symphonies, and 2011 Tchaikovsky Competition winner Daniil Trifonov’s interpretation of the first Piano Concerto on SACD.
In March and April Denis Matsuev joins the London Symphony Orchestra and Valery Gergiev for a European tour, with concerts in London, Paris and Turin.
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Denis Matsuev, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev – Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Shchedrin – Piano Concertos & Capriccio (2015)
DSF Stereo DSD64/2.82MHz | Time – 01:06:19 minutes | 2,62 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download – Source: nativeDSDmusic | Digital Booklet | © LSO
Denis Matsuev showcases works for piano and orchestra by three of Russia’s greatest composers. Renowned for interpretations of music from his homeland, and affectionately known as ‘the Siberian Bear with the fastest paws in the Arctic’, Matsuev’s previous releases on the Mariinsky Label, including Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 3 and Rhapsody on a Theme of Pagnini, have received widespread acclaim.
Piano Concerto No 1 was written whilst Rachmaninov was still a teenager and though relatively playful in comparison to his other piano concertos, its three movements are full of the showmanship, beautiful melodies and lush orchestral accompaniment that were to characterise his music in the years to come. A similarly playful tone can be found in the revised 1949 edition of Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, which premiered in 1949 with the composer at the piano. Written as a virtuosic vehicle for Stravinsky himself, the piece is characterised by a dancing piano part, full of leaps and bounding with energy. Completing this release is Shchedrin’s Piano Concerto No 2, recorded in the presence of the composer, which influenced by twelve-tone techniques and jazz. Virtuosic writing is a feature throughout, and the final movement sees the surprise introduction of a jazz ensemble, including vibraphone and drum kit.
Speaking about this release, Denis Matsuev says ‘ we wanted to show Great Russian composers from different periods.’ Rachmaninov’s First Piano Concerto is one of my favourites. It was written whilst he studied at the Moscow Conservatory and despite his young age he managed to reveal himself as a great artist. Capriccio is a brilliant work with a wonderful sense of humour. It is also very cinematic; one can envisage this music whilst listening to it and we tried to communicate all of these features to the audience. Shchedrin is a very special composer in the Russian tradition. He takes an active part in rehearsals; we have an opportunity to talk to him, to exchange ideas and listen to his advice. It is a priceless experience.’
This release is dedicated to the memory of Maya Plisetskaya (1925–2015), wife of Rodion Shchedrin and dedicatee of his Piano Concerto No 2, who passed away shortly after the making of this recording.
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Denis Matsuev, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev – Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No 3 & Symphony No 5 (2014)
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 70:38 minutes | Front + Digital Booklet | 3,92 GB
or DSD64 2.0 Stereo (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | Front + Digital Booklet | 2,78 GB
or FLAC Stereo (carefully converted & encoded to tracks) 24bit/96kHz | Front + Digital Booklet | 1,42 GB
Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Label: Mariinsky # MAR0549
The Mariinsky label presents the recording of two of Sergei Prokofiev’s most popular works, Piano Concerto No 3 and Symphony No 5. Denis Matsuev features as soloist, in this his fourth recording on the Mariinsky label. Since winning the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1998 Matsuev has established a reputation as one of Russia’s leading pianists and is renowned for his interpretations of Russian music.
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Denis Matsuev, Valery Gergiev & Mariinsky Orchestra – Shostakovich & Shchedrin: Piano Concertos (2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:13:32 minutes | 640 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Mariinsky
The Mariinsky label was launched in May 2009 with a ground-breaking recording of Shostakovich’s early opera The Nose, which received much praise and many awards. Gergiev continues to work his way through the Shostakovich oeuvre with the Mariinsky and here adds the two piano concertos, plus the fifth piano concerto by the popular Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin.
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Denis Matsuev – Shostakovich / Schnittke / Lutosławski (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 54:51 minutes | 919 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
Since its foundation in 2008, the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin has enjoyed storied success. Comprised of leading members of the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker, the ensemble combines the unbridled sound beauty of both top orchestras in their agile, chamber music-like playing. The cornerstone for this ensemble was laid by Sir Simon Rattle with his wish to conduct a joint concert with both the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker for his 50th birthday: the playing was so inspiring that the desire for continuing this shared experience immediately arose. From this idea, the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin was born.
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