Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. His ballets, concertos and orchestral works remain among the most widely performed music in the classical repertoire.
He trained at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, absorbing Western forms while remaining unmistakably Russian in melodic gift and dramatic instinct. That dual allegiance shaped a body of work that includes the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, the opera Eugene Onegin, the First Piano Concerto, the Violin Concerto, several symphonies, and the 1812 Overture.
His scores move easily between intimate lyricism and public spectacle. Piano miniatures from the Album for the Young and The Seasons, the Andante cantabile, and salon pieces such as the Valse sentimentale sit beside large-scale concert and stage music that still fills halls.
Australian programmes continue to draw on that range: the First Piano Concerto, transcriptions of the 1812 Overture, dances from The Nutcracker, and quieter nocturnes and songs for young players and chamber ensembles alike.
Compositions by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky appear on
Pictures at an Exhibition: Reflected and Refracted
Unique orchestral arrangements of Pictures at an Exhibition, Glière’s Coloratura Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra, Glinka’s The Nightingale, and two movements from Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons.
Music of John Lewis
John Lewis' music combines romantic and classical, blues and jazz. These pieces were originally written for the Modern Jazz Quartet, and here they live on, freshly interpreted by Alan Lee (vibraharp), Jo Abbott (piano), Ivan Rosa (bass) and Ben Hendry (drums).
Golden Sounds
Ian King returns to the studio once more to enthrall us with the golden sounds of his tuba. Featuring works by Falla, Corelli, Rimsky-Korsakov, Debussy, Ravel, Gershwin and much more!
The 12 Days of Christmas
The Choir of Ormond College here sings several carols long held in affection around the world but adds to these with newer works accompanied by renowned Australian pianist, Stephen McIntyre.
Pictures
In Pictures, Ian Holtham leads the listener through a showcase of Romantic piano masterpieces, including Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Schumann’s Carnaval.
Torquing Points
An exciting juxtaposition of 20th century Australian and 19th century European musical styles. Gordon Kerry's Torquing Points for String Quartet and Mark Pollard's The Quick or the Dead are approachable and lyrical pieces that fit well with this CD's classical works.
Victoria Victoria
This is a double CD of Victoria's 150th Gala Choral Concert held in Melbourne, Australia's Royal Exhibition Building in 1985 – sung by a 1000 voice choir, with orchestra conducted by Richard Divall. The highlight is Leon Caron's prize-winning Victoria Cantata, first performed in 1880.
Night Thoughts
During the long still nights of the Covid pandemic, pianist Len Vorster, well-known as a thoughtful accompanist, spent most of his evenings listening to a wide array of music ranging from Schumann to Copland. He also spent a lot of time thinking about the music. These ruminations developed into the wide ranging, fascinating and beautiful program of 15 deep-rooted works.
Miscellany for Flute and Harp
Throughout history composers have been drawn to the combination of the flute and harp, from the shepherd’s pan-pipes and Orphean lyre of ancient Arcadia, to the French court of Marie-Antoinette and Mozart’s duo concerto.
Original Transcriptions for Piano
Piano transcriptions as you have never heard them before. This disc by Australian pianist-composer Cameron Roberts is a tour-de-force of piano virtuosity and originality.
Tchaikovsky Concerto / Shostakovich Song of the Forests
The New Monash Orchestra, under the direction of André de Quadros, joins pianist Yuri Rozum, the Monash Women's Choir and VIVA VOCE in an exciting all-Russian programme featuring Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto and the rarely heard Song of the Forests by Shostakovich – his first major work for choir and orchestra.