Lukas Geniusas - Piano Concerto 1 in E minor Opera 11 & Works for - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The pianist Lukas Geniušas has recorded the original version of Rachmaninoff's Piano Sonata no.1 in the composer's Swiss home Villa Senar (Sergei & Natalia Rachmaninoff) and on his own piano, an unusually long Steinway & Sons model, presented to the composer and concert pianist by the manufacturer to mark his sixtieth birthday. The difference between the original version of Sonata no.1 and the second version, shorter by more than 100 bars, is not just a question of length, according to Lukas Geniušas 'There is a lot lost between the first and second editions. I know it goes against the grain, but I would name this sonata to be one of, if not the best Rachmaninoff's solo piano work. It's shattering might, it's splendor and scale can only be likened to the Third piano concerto, which was written soon after.' The programme is completed by four preludes from the Op. 32 set.

This product is an authorized manufactured on demand CD-R

Schumann's most popular song cycles performed by mezzo-soprano Marianne Beate Kielland, who is established as an exceptional performer with a wide-ranging repertoire from baroque to contemporary. Schumann's astonishing outpouring of songs in his so-called InchLiederjahrInch was inspired by his love for Clara, whom he married in September that year after prolonged and acrimonious opposition from her father. Schumann survived the ordeal of court appearances in which Friedrich Wieck attempted to defame his character. Myrthen (Myrtle Wreath), a group of twenty-six songs based on texts by several poets, including Ruckert, Goethe, Burns, Byron and Thomas Moore, was published on the day of Schumann's wedding. It contains many of his most popular songs. The majority of Schumann's most popular songs (and song-cycles) date from 1840 but his extensive and treasurable work in this genre continued until 1852. At the end of that year he set five poems doubtfully attributed to Mary, Queen of Scots and translated by Gisbert von Vincke - Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart, Opus 135. Written in one of Schumann's least productive years, they were his last songs.