Konstantin Scherbakov - 24 Transcendental Etudes (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/192]

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:

CD1
01. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 1, Preludio
02. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 2, Molto vivace
03. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 3, Paysage
04. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 4, Mazeppa
05. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 5, Feux follets
06. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 6, Visions
07. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 7, Eroica
08. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 8, Wilde Jagd
09. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 9, Ricordanza
10. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 10, Allegro agitato molto
11. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 11, Harmonies du soir
12. Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139: No. 12, Chasse-neige

CD2
01. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 1, Berceuse
02. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 2, Rondes des fantômes
03. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 3, Carillon
04. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 4, Térek
05. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 5, Nuit d'eté
06. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 6, Tempête
07. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 7, Idylle
08. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 8, Chant épique
09. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 9, Harpes éoliennes
10. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 10, Lesghinka
11. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 11, Ronde des sylphes
12. 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11: No. 12, Elégie en mémoire de François Liszt

Personnel:
Konstantin Scherbakov, piano