About this Release
“Barmotin’s music has been a revelation to me and his craftsmanship and personality are as much in evidence in this 2nd 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 Melancolique with its increasingly decorative variation and the sheer beauty of Les Rêves being but two of many highlights in the set.” — Christopher Williams
BARMOTIN, SEMYON (1877–1939)
Piano Music • 2
- Christopher Williams, piano
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
Tracklist
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Piano Sonata in G-Flat Major, Op. 4 () (00:26:00 )
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1
I. Moderato - Allegro moderato (00:07:54)
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2
II. Adagio sostenuto (00:08:10)
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3
III. Moderato – Vivace grazioso (00:09:29)
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3 Romances sans paroles, Op. 2 () (00:09:00 )
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4
No. 1. Allegretto affetto (00:02:35)
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5
No. 2. Adagio sostenuto (00:03:27)
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6
No. 3. Allegretto con anima (00:02:30)
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Tableaux de la vie enfantine, Op. 9 () (00:44:00 )
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7
No. 1. La prière du matin (00:01:10)
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8
No. 2. La maman (00:01:20)
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9
No. 3. La grand-mère (00:01:10)
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10
No. 4. Le beau mois de mai (00:00:45)
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11
No. 5. Chanson des enfants mendiants (00:01:53)
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12
No. 6. Jeu aux tapes (00:02:11)
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13
No. 7. Enchantement d'une nouvelle poupée (00:01:13)
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14
No. 8. Jeu aux chevaux (00:00:53)
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15
No. 9. Marche solennelle (00:02:11)
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16
No. 10. Polka (00:01:06)
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17
No. 11. Valse mélancolique (00:07:15)
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18
No. 12. Mazurka (00:04:44)
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19
No. 13. La plainte (00:01:04)
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20
No. 14. Promenade en bateau au clair de la lune (00:01:39)
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21
No. 15. L'inquiétude (00:00:55)
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22
No. 16. Jeu à la corde (00:01:04)
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23
No. 17. Les rêves (00:02:05)
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24
No. 18. Jeu au colin-maillard (00:00:39)
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25
No. 19. Les caprices (00:02:04)
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26
No. 20. Chant d'automne (00:01:53)
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No. 21. Auprès du tombeau (00:02:57)
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28
No. 22. Au bois (00:02:48)
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The Artist(s)
Christopher Williams is a music graduate of Cardiff University and now leads a busy and varied professional life as a pianist, composer, conductor, teacher and arranger. He is currently assistant director of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and is a pianist for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with whom he has performed at the BBC Proms and recorded for the Chandos and Hyperion labels. In addition to his work as a soloist, Williams is in great demand as an accompanist and chamber musician, and has partnered many of the prominent instrumentalists of his generation including Philippe Schartz, Tim Thorpe, David Childs, David Pyatt and Tine Thing Helseth. He has also appeared on BBC TV and been broadcast on BBC Radio and Radio Luxembourg. His recording of Brahms transcriptions for Grand Piano was featured as album of the week on NDR Kultur. The Composer(s)
Particularly notable among Semyon Alexeyevich Barmotin’s later works is the Poème symphonique, Op. 30, written in 1930 and dedicated to the memory of his teacher Balakirev, who had died 20 years earlier. Barmotin’s other surviving works include several occasional pieces that reflect the tumultuous period through which he lived, such as the Hymn to Comrade Stalin (1936) and October Victory, a march-cantata to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the October Revolution (1937). Also Available
Grand Piano has gained a reputation for producing high quality recordings of rare keyboard gems. Dedicated to the exploration of undiscovered piano repertoire, the label specialises in complete cycles of piano works by many lesser-known composers, whose output might otherwise have remained unknown and unrecorded.
- info@grandpianorecords.com
