264 CD / Russian Music. Koroliov Series
Description
Continuity
The piece “October” from Tchaikovsky's “Seasons” op. 37 comes from an older recording by Evgeni Koroliov from 1992 (TACET 25). That was the time of the Yugoslav Wars and the collapse of the Soviet Union. I remember that Evgeni Koroliov, who was born in Moscow, spoke during a break in his gentle manner about how this music was for him a reminder of irretrievable times before the Russian revolution. 33 years later, Koroliov speaks as he did then, he has remained true to himself and his playing, the times are just as confused and uncertain. Even the sound is similar. Accordingly, the new recordings on this “Russian” CD are permeated by a similar longing for a better world, which never existed as beautifully as in this music. I am happy and grateful to have been able to accompany this quiet and expressive artist, who enriches the music world so lastingly, on TACET for such a long time. This is already his 26th recording on TACET and the second CD this year, the second of three!
Andreas Spreer
2 reviews for 264 CD / Russian Music. Koroliov Series
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Klassik heute –
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Russian piano repertoire is often reduced to the great virtuoso pieces—such as those by Mussorgsky or Prokofiev. All too often, the subtleties or unusual repertoire are overlooked. This recording by Evgeni Koroliov is highly interesting from another perspective as well. His 26th recording in his own series for the label Tacet is dedicated to works by Scriabin, Medtner, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev: small character pieces and rarely performed works that often stand in the shadow of the great virtuoso repertoire. This alone is exciting, such as the selection from the Preludes Op. 11 by Alexander Scriabin or the Sonata reminiscenza, the first movement from the cycle Forgotten Melodies Op. 38 by Nikolai Medtner.
Rapture and Class
Scriabin's miniatures, some of which last only a few seconds to just under two minutes, are sonically closer to Debussy than to the Russian school, and Medtner's sonata movement is a true gem. The smaller pieces by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev that Koroliov plays, including some excerpts from Romeo and Juliet Op. 75, are certainly not overrepresented. But this recording scores not only with its repertoire. Koroliov has long been a guarantee of pianistic excellence. This recording is no exception. In the Scriabin Preludes, Koroliov unfolds subtle and delicate sound webs, Medtner's sonata movement is a single rapture, and the character pieces by Tchaikovsky are a paragon of pianistic subtlety and fine craftsmanship. All of this is captured in the usual brilliant sound engineering manner. Conclusion: excellent!
Guido Krawinkel
Artistic quality: 10 out of 10
Sound quality: 10 out of 10
Overall impression: 10 out of 10
Klassik heute Recommendation
Pizzicato –
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The « longing for a better world » pervades this album, according to the liner notes, and the program is correspondingly calm, sometimes a little more cheerful, especially with Prokofiev, often nostalgic, melancholic, if not downright sad.
Throughout the lyrical program there is a sense of introspection and emotional warmth that allows the listener to relax completely. Koroliov gives each note time to breathe and resonate.
The melodies are often soft, flowing and vocal, almost as if the piano is whispering a quiet story.
This creates a peaceful atmosphere that allows the listener a pleasant escape from the world, from which, of course, the bitter reality will tear them all the more sharply at the end.
Remy Franck