Alexander Hangmann

Performed and recorded as handsomely, sympathetically, and idiomatically as on this Naxos release. The disc deserves a high recommendation.

The Seasons was written for the Russian Imperial Ballet and first produced at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg in February 1900 with choreography by Marius Petipa. There is no particular story to the ballet, which offers a series of tableaux, one for each of the four seasons, set to music that seems to continue the tradition established in the three ballets of Tchaikovsky.

The first symphony is the work of a sixteen year old and for all its winsome linguistic indebtedness to Balakirev and Borodin it has an independent life of its own. With those Russian voices can also be heard Brahms. The scherzo on the other hand is awash with Polovtsi intoxication while the third movement andante runs Rachmaninov very close to one of his finest romantic conceptions.

Under the title My Rachmaninoff, Alexander Krichel will release his new album on Berlin Classics on March 24, 2023, and with it a very personal tribute to the Russian pianist and composer, whose birthday will be celebrated for the 150th time just a few days later. For his eighth album, Alexander Krichel has selected works that have shaped his strong connection to Rachmaninoff. From the world-famous Prélude Op. 3 No. 2 in C-sharp minor to the virtuosic Corelli Variations and Études- Tableaux, some of the most difficult repertoire written for piano, to the concluding Vocalise, Krichel invites listeners to discover Rachmaninoff's biography musically. He wants to inspire his audience with the music of this great composer in the same way that it once captivated him.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of French classical music with the Music of Poulenc, Ravel, and Saint-Saëns, a captivating collaboration featuring the virtuosic pianist Alexander Wasserman alongside the brilliant oboist Elizabeth Koch Tiscione and accomplished bassoonist Andrew Brady. Released by Centaur, this album presents a rich tapestry of melodies and textures, showcasing the trio's exceptional synergy and individual artistry. From the playful elegance of Poulenc to the evocative landscapes of Ravel and the timeless charm of Saint-Saëns, the musicians breathe life into each composition, offering a masterful interpretation that captures the essence of French musical finesse.

Boris Godunov is the quintessential Russian opera and brings to the stage one of the most curious episodes in the history of 16th-century Russia. After Mussorgsky's death in 1881, the work was revised by Rimsky-Korsakov whose version is sung in this performance.