Composer: Semyon Barmotin
Performer: Christopher Williams
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Grand Piano
Catalogue: GP865
Release: 2022
Size: 1.19 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Piano Sonata in G-Flat Major, Op. 4
01. I. Moderato – Allegro moderato
02. II. Adagio sostenuto
03. III. Moderato – Vivace grazioso
3 Romances sans paroles, Op. 2
04. No. 1, Allegretto affetto
05. No. 2, Adagio sostenuto
06. No. 3, Allegretto con anima
Tableaux de la vie enfantine, Op. 9
07. No. 1, La prière du matin
08. No. 2, La maman
09. No. 3, La grand-mère
10. No. 4, Le beau mois de mai
11. No. 5, Chanson des enfants mendiants
12. No. 6, Jeu aux tapes
13. No. 7, Enchantement d’une nouvelle poupée
14. No. 8, Jeu aux chevaux
15. No. 9, Marche solennelle
16. No. 10, Polka
17. No. 11, Valse mélancolique
18. No. 12, Mazurka
19. No. 13, La plainte
20. No. 14, Promenade en bateau au clair de la lune
21. No. 15, L’inquiétude
22. No. 16, Jeu à la corde
23. No. 17, Les rêves
24. No. 18, Jeu au colin-maillard
25. No. 19, Les caprices
26. No. 20, Chant d’automne
27. No. 21, Auprès du tombeau
28. No. 22, Au bois
The published works of Semyon Alexeyevich Barmotin (1877-1939) date from a particularly rich flowering of Russian culture that preceded the Revolution of 1917. From the Romantic expansiveness of the Piano Sonata, Op. 4 to the colourful and reflective Tableaux de la vie enfantine, the attraction of Barmotin’s piano music stems from his spirited artistic personality, the refinement of his harmonic language and mastery of form. Christopher Williams continues his acclaimed rediscovery of a composer who allows the emotional character of each musical moment to flourish. This recording was made on a modern instrument: Steinway, Model D.
“Barmotin’s music has been a revelation to me and his craftsmanship and personality are as much in evidence in this second volume as in the previous. As a performer of his music I’ve experienced nothing but pure delight, always marvelling at the individualistic nature of his piano writing and wealth of musical invention so clearly demonstrated in the pieces on this album. The unique Scherzo-Finale from the Sonata offers the listener a glimpse of musical theatre, almost pantomime in nature, whilst the Tableaux de la vie enfantine is reminiscent of a ballet score with 22 evocative scenes and moods, each one perfectly crafted. Valse mélancolique with its increasingly decorative variation and the sheer beauty of Les Rêves being but two of many highlights in the set”. (Christopher Williams)