Nikolai Tcherepnin: Piano Music
Nikolai Tcherepnin (1873-1945) — a student of Rimsky-Korsakov and teacher of Prokofiev — was a Russian-born composer and conductor, and the first of his family's musical dynasty. His piano music reveals a diversity of influences: the Three Pieces (c. 1890) have echoes of Chopin and Rachmaninov; the Fourteen Sketches on Pictures from the Russian Alphabet (1908) are miniature tone-poems inspired by Alexander Benois' beautifully illustrated alphabet book for children; and The Fisherman and the Fish (c. 1914) is a vivid musical depiction of this Pushkin poem, complete with watery splashes!
David Witten, piano
Listen To This Recording:
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Three Pieces, Op. 24 (c. 1890)
- No. 1, Rêverie
- No. 2, Étude
- No. 3, Idylle
- No. 1, Moor
- No. 2, Baba-Yaga
- No. 3, General
- No. 4, Dacha
- No. 5, Egypt
- No. 6, Stars
- No. 7, Mama
- No. 8, The Lake
- No. 9, Bed-time
- No. 10, The Forest
- No. 11, Sweets
- No. 12, The Khan
- No. 13, Tzarina
- No. 14, Stuffed Bear
- I. Andantino commodo
- II. Moderato assai
- III. Moderato assai molto risoluto
- IV. Andantino mosso
- V. Marziale maestoso
- VI. Molto sostenuto
Fourteen Sketches on Pictures from the Russian Alphabet, Op. 38 (1908)
The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish, Op. 41 (c. 1914)
The Observer :
‘Nikolai Tcherepnin (1873-1945), patriach of a still-thriving musical dynasty, student of Rimsky-Korsakov and teacher of Prokofiev, is revealed in all his pianistic glory in these fascinating first recordings…’
—Stephen Pritchard, The Observer
Fanfare Magazine :
‘it is all colorful and evocative and well worth a listen, so I recommend this release to anyone interested in Russian music of this period.’
—Daniel Morrison, Fanfare Magazine
Fanfare Magazine :
‘The sound is bright, forward, and lifelike. With excellent notes by the pianist, this is a disc that will hopefully generate not merely sales of itself, but interest in its seldom-heard composer.’
—Barry Brenesal, Fanfare Magazine
American Record Guide :
‘…this is finely crafted music that is always interesting. I cannot imagine a better, more complete introduction to a relatively unknown composer.’
—James Harrington, American Record Guide
International Record Review :
‘All hail Toccata Classics for its promotion of underrepresented composers and unknown works.
Everything here is a première recording. These works date from Tcherepnin’s Russian years. His output for solo piano was not large, consisting solely of sets of smaller works. I suspect a second CD would cover it entirely. If the rest is as engaging as what is presented here, that CD would be most welcome!’
—Raymond S. Tuttle, International Record Review
Classical Cd Review :
‘Leave it to Toccata Classics to come up with a program of interesting music you probably haven’t heard before. …’
—Steve Schwartz, Classical Cd Review
Clavier Companion :
‘David Witten is to be commended for bringing these works to our attention through effective interpretations and informative liner notes. The recording represents an enlightening and very enjoyable intersection of Russian music, art, and literature. Highly recommended.’
—Denise Parr–Scanlin, Clavier Companion
Diapson :
‘Les Quatorze esquisses imaginées d’après le livre d’alphabet pour enfants d’Alexandre Benois (de magnifiques illustrations en couleurs sont reproduites dans la notice) offrent le meilleur moment de ce disque. Elles font alterner des pages d’une nostalgie on ne peut plus russe, des marches teintées d’ironie, des rythmes d’inspiration espagnole, des moments plus mystérieux, voire lugubres. Autant de vignettes musicales au charme certain, marquées par un goût pour les contes de fées et le fantastique.’
—Bertrand Boissard, Diapson
MusicWeb International :
‘On the evidence at least of this release, Tcherepnin’s piano music – evocative, melodic, harmonically imaginative and immensely varied – merits a place in every pianist’s repertoire and on every music-lover’s shelf. […]
All three of Tcherepnin’s works are sensitively played, with technical expertise’
—Byzantion, MusicWeb International
96th of October :
‘Witten’s first Tcherepnin CD, Nikolai Tcherepnin, Piano Music, offers a judicious and impressive selection from the work. […] These are delightful inventions, in the spirit of Schumann’s 1835 Carnaval (short piano sketches of Commedia del’Arte characters). The pamphlet included in the CD reproduces all fourteen of the images, which add greatly to one’s enjoyment. […]
Speaking of the liner notes, these are the most insightful and well-composed we have ever seen—not surprisingly, they were written by Witten himself. Along with the Benois pictures and the Pushkin poem, they make this CD an extraordinary gift for any intelligent friend—an opulent invitation to explore the strange little Russian Oz of Tcherepnin’s imagination.
The music is excellent of its time and place and will delight anyone who enjoys Debussy or the Schoenberg of the Art Songs. Witten’s playing is flawless, elegant and expressive. He shows absolute fidelity to the spirit and letter of the music, to which he brings real feeling and even a certain playfulness. His interpretation is always intelligent, fully articulating the content, producing a compelling performance from which one’s attention never strays.’
—Mildred Faintly, 96th of October