Barry Douglas - Tchaikovsky Plus One, Vol. 1 (2018)

Two of the most popular romantic Russian piano works from the mid-1870s are heard on this new album from the celebrated Barry Douglas.

Lyricism lies at the heart of the twelve movements of Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons (1875 – 76), commissioned by the periodical Nouvelliste to appear monthly, accompanied by poetic epigraphs. Tchaikovsky got his servant to remind him of his duty on a certain day in the month, and composed each piece in a single sitting. Each reflects characteristics of a different month, the style is simple, the mood introspective.

While the poetic aspect of The Seasons was prompted by the individual musical contributions, Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) was provoked by a visit which Mussorgsky made to an exhibition of sketches and paintings by his late friend Viktor Hartmann. The technically demanding memorial, a popular genre in Russian romanticism, is here played thoughtfully and sympathetically by Barry Douglas.

Tracklist:
Tchaikovsky
01. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: I. January. By the Fireside
02. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: II. February. Carnival
03. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: III. March. Song of the Lark
04. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: IV. April. Snowdrop
05. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: V. May. May Nights
06. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: VI. June. Barcarolle
07. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: VII. July. Song of the Reaper
08. The Seasons, Op. 37a, Th 135: VIII. August. The Harvest
09. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: IX. September. The Hunt
10. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: X. October. Autumn Song
11. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: XI. November. Troika
12. The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: XII. December. Christmas

Mussorgsky
13. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade I
14. Pictures at an Exhibition: I. Gnomus
15. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade II
16. Pictures at an Exhibition: II. Il vecchio castello
17. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade III
18. Pictures at an Exhibition: III. Tuileries (Dispute d'enfants après jeux)
19. Pictures at an Exhibition: IV. Bydło
20. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade IV
21. Pictures at an Exhibition: V. Ballet of Unhatched Chicks in Their Shells
22. Pictures at an Exhibition: VI. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle
23. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade V
24. Pictures at an Exhibition: VII. Limoges, le marché (La grande nouvelle)
25. Pictures At An Exhibition: Viiia. Catacombæ (Sepulcrum Romanum)
26. Pictures At An Exhibition: Viiib. Con Mortuis In Lingua Mortua
27. Pictures at an Exhibition: IX. The Hut on Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yagá)
28. Pictures at an Exhibition: X. The Great Gate of Kiev