Coronation March, Capriccio Italien Francesca da Rimini, Romeo and Juliet, Marche Slave

Tchaikovsky Selections

Russian National Orchestra Mikhail Pletnev Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Coronation March Tchaikovsky himself did not speak Capriccio italien, the hurly-burly of the tarantella, it too highly of his Coronation March, undergoes a fi nal intensifi cation, 1 Coronation March (1883) 5. 37 (1883) which he considered “rowdy, but bad”; Op. 45 (1879-80) displaying the full splendour of the 2 Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 15. 35 nevertheless, in this representative orchestra. © Russian National Orchestra 3 Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32 24. 20 Often enough, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky piece he proved one thing in particular: The Capriccio italien, Op. 45 also 4 Romeo and Juliet (1880) 19. 17 (1840-1893) has been accused of that he had a feeling for eff ect, demonstrates another facet of 5 Marche Slave, Op. 31 9. 15 striving only for superfi cial eff ects in pomp and splendour, even if this Tchaikovsky’s character: his serenity, Francesca da Rimini, his works, of always giving himself was interpreted as a weakness in his relaxed approach, and joy, which ran free rein; and in his ceremonial style of composition – especially in parallel to his gloom and melancholy. Op. 31 (1876) Coronation March in D, this is frankly Germany. And on October 28, 2011, He fi rst drafted the work while in Rome Total playing time: 74. 35 the case. Tchaikovsky composed this it again became clear that the work during 1879 – 1880, i.e. in the period In addition to the six symphonies and fi ve-minute march in 1883, for the retains its raison d’être, especially in between his “heavyweight” fourth the Manfred Symphony, Tchaikovsky coronation of Tsar Alexander III, who such a traditional country as Russia. and fi fth symphonies. He completed also distinguished himself in his had indeed commissioned the work. It For on that day, after several years of the Capriccio in May 1880. The work magnifi cent tone poems. His passion was fi rst performed on May 23, 1883 renovation, the Bolshoi Theatre was is about 15 minutes in length, and is for reading was of great benefi t to him in Moscow, under the direction of reopened with full state pomp as one structured as a suite with overlapping when searching for inspiration in great Sergei Taneyev. Symbolically and with of Russia’s great cultural centres; and movements. It begins with a fanfare, literature; after all, he ranked “reading great reverence, Tchaikovsky quotes the fi nal hymn to be heard was – the derived from the last post (= bugle call) among the most elevated moments the national anthem of the Russian Coronation March. of the Italian army, which is followed by of happiness.” However, Tchaikovsky empire several times. In fact, not only a national folk melody. The woodwinds was not interested in elaborating does he quote this anthem, but also play a catchy Neapolitan folk song, and a precise literary programme or a Russian National Orchestra the Danish national anthem – thereby the entire orchestra joins in. Alternating detailed presentation of the plot in Alexei Bruni, concertmaster referring to the native country of the with a rousing tarantella, the capriccio his programmatic works; what truly Conducted by Mikhail Pletnev Empress, Princess Dagmar of Denmark. steadily increases momentum. In appealed to him – as is the case here

English in Francesca da Rimini and Romeo and outer movements, Tchaikovsky portrays Romeo and Juliet Brother Lorenzo, then interrupt this fi ght between the Montagues and the of the work took place on November Russian National and the European Broadcasting Union. Juliet – was the psyche of the heroes the torments of hell-fi re. Especially at with the dispute between the feuding Capulets. Finally, the second subject 5, 1876. It had been commissioned by and heroines; the development of their the beginning of the work, the music (the 1880 version) families, and then portray the young appears, a lyrically fl owing canto in the Nikolai Rubinstein for a concert held in Orchestra The RNO has made many recordings characters; and even the emotional sounds extremely drastic, garish, loud lovers.” In November 1869, Tchaikovsky woodwinds, which represents the love aid of the Slavic charitable association for PENTATONE, including one of dead ends and vortices, into which they and dissonant, dominated by a kind of Like many other composers, completed the fi rst version of his shared by Romeo and Juliet. The overture for wounded soldiers. Tchaikovsky wrote The Russian National Orchestra P r o k o fi e v ’ s Peter and the Wolf and manoeuvred themselves or into which motto theme. Through repetition of the Tchaikovsky also sought inspiration in fantasy-overture Romeo and Juliet. was given a cool reception at the the piece in a surge of patriotic fever was founded in 1990 and today is Beintus’s Wolf Tracks. Conducted by they were drawn. highly chromatic motivic material in stories of disastrous and destructive At Balakirev’s recommendation, he première in Moscow in 1870, and the fi rst brought about by the brief yet bloody recognized as one of the world’s Kent Nagano and narrated by Sophia ostinato fashion, the composer evokes love. An interesting note is the huge completed two further versions, in 1870 performances in the West were to fare Serbian-Turkish War. He had originally top orchestras. Of its debut at the Loren and Bill Clinton, the disc received While journeying to the première the never-ending torments of hell. The encouragement the young composer and 1880 respectively. But more than 10 no better. But Tchaikovsky lived to see intended to give his Op. 31 the title of BBC Proms in London, the Evening a 2004 Grammy® Award, making of Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des middle section tells of the love between received from Mili Balakirev to get years went by before Tchaikovsky was opinions change, and today his Romeo Serbo-Russian March. Unsurprisingly, Standard wrote, “They played with such the RNO the fi rst Russian orchestra Nibelungen in 1876, Tchaikovsky was Francesca and her brother-in-law Paolo. down to work. Balakirev suggested completely satisfi ed with his work. While and Juliet is one of the most famous the main theme is a Serbian folk song. captivating beauty that the audience to win this honor. The RNO’s ongoing reading Dante’s Commedia Divina Love themes intoned by clarinet and that Tchaikovsky base his composition planning the music, Tchaikovsky focused musical portrayals of Shakespeare In the coda, it is combined with the gave an involuntary sigh of pleasure.” Shostakovich cycle on PENTATONE is (= Divine Comedy). He must have been strings dominate the music, until the on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on the three primary elements of the plays to be found in the literature of the Russian National Anthem of the day The RNO has been described as “a acclaimed as “the most exciting cycle impressed by the episode from the arrival of Francesca’s husband Giancitto – he probably knew of Tchaikovsky’s drama, which he then implemented in orchestra. (“God save the Czar”), in order to living symbol of the best in Russian art” of the Shostakovich symphonies to be fi fth song in the “Inferno” about the is announced by the horns. The seal is unrequited love for the Belgian soprano sonata form. invoke the unity of the Slavic peoples. (Miami Herald) and “as close to perfect put down on disc, and easily the best unfortunate and forbidden love felt by set on the fi nal ending of the lovers. Désirée Artôt, and assumed that the as one could hope for” (Trinity Mirror). recorded.” (SACD.net) Francesca da Polenta for her brother- In the third movement, the music composer would fi nd inspiration for his Through its chorale-like character, Marche slave, Op. 31 in-law, which ended with the violent reverts to the agony of the beginning, work in the well-known Shakespearean the lengthy Adagio introduction A frequent guest in the music capitals The orchestra maintains a full Moscow death of both lovers. Tchaikovsky wrote before the percussion emphasizes with lovers. communicates a sense of devoted (1876) of Europe, Asia and the Americas, the season and has established the the three-part tone poem in just three downright brutal severity the perpetual spirituality, as portrayed in the fi gure RNO is also founding orchestra of Napa annual Grand Festival, which opens weeks’ time upon his return in 1876 atonement demanded of the doomed Tchaikovsky began work without too of Friar Laurence. In the Allegro giusto, The Marche slave, Op. 31 was written Valley Festival del Sole and Festival the Russian capital’s cultural season from Bayreuth to Moscow, where the lovers. much enthusiasm, following Balakirev’s a brutal episode is added, containing in the autumn of 1876, so to speak at of the Arts BOCA. Its concerts are each September. Unique among the première later took place on February detailed instructions for the composition: the rhythmically energetic main theme the same time as the instrumentation regularly aired by National Public Radio principal Russian ensembles, the RNO 25, 1877 under Nikolay Rubinstein. In the “Start with the music that represents that symbolizes (percussion!) the of Francesca da Rimini. The première in the United States, Kultura in Russia, is a private institution funded with the

Artists support of individuals, corporations and In 1990 Pletnev formed the fi rst and Prokofi ev Piano Concertos No. 3 Krönungsmarsch Prinzessin Dagmar von Dänemark. Capriccio italien einstimmt. Im Wechsel mit einer alles foundations throughout the world. independent orchestra in Russia’s with the RNO and conductor Mstislav Tschaikowsky selber sprach in keinen mitreißenden Tarantella nimmt das history. Many of the country’s fi nest Rostropovich. BBC Magazine called (1883) allzu hohen Tönen von seinem op. 45 (1879-80) Capriccio immer mehr an Fahrt auf. For more information, visit www.rno.ru musicians joined Pletnev in launching his 1996 Gramophone Award-winning Krönungsmarsch, den er für „lärmend, Im Wirbel der Tarantella erfährt es the Russian National Orchestra. Under album of Scarlatti’s Keyboard Sonatas Oft genug wurde Peter Iljitsch aber schlecht“ hielt. Dennoch bewies Das Capriccio italien op. 45 zeigt die im vollen Orchesterglanz eine fi nale his leadership, the RNO achieved in “piano playing at its greatest... this Tschaikowsky (1840-1893) vorgeworfen, er in diesem Repräsentationsstück heitere, gelöste und freudige Saite, die Steigerung. Mikhail Pletnev a few short years a towering stature performance alone would be enough er ziele in seinen Werken primär nur vor allem eines: Gespür für Eff ekt, trotz aller Schwermut und Melancholie among the world’s orchestras. Pletnev to secure Pletnev a place among the auf den vordergründigen Eff ekt, Pomp und Glanz. Auch wenn ihm dies durchaus in Tschaikowsky schwang. Conductor describes the RNO as his greatest greatest pianists ever known.” gäbe stets dem Aff en Zucker. Auf – insbesondere in Deutschland – als Eine Skizze des Werkes entstand Francesca da Rimini joy and today continues to serve seinen Feierlichen Festmarsch D-Dur kompositorische Schwäche ausgelegt während des Rom-Aufenthaltes Mikhail Pletnev’s genius as pianist, as its Artistic Director and Principal Pletnev’s compositions include works triff t das sicherlich unumwunden wurde. Dass das Werk auch heute 1879/80, zeitlich also zwischen den op. 31 (1876) conductor and composer enchants Conductor. for orchestra, piano, strings and zu. Diesen etwa fünfminütigen noch seine Daseinsberechtigung hat, emotionalen Schwergewichten Vierte and amazes audiences around the voices. Today he is one of Russia’s Marsch komponierte Tschaikowsky zumal in einem traditionsverhafteten und Fünfte Symphonie. Vollendet Neben den sechs Symphonien globe. He was Gold Medal and First Pletnev’s performances and recordings most respected and infl uential artists. für die Krönungsfeierlichkeiten von Land wie Russland, beweist der 28. hat Tschaikowsky das Capriccio und der Manfred-Symphonie tat Prize winner of the 1978 Tchaikovsky have proved him to be an outstanding Pianist, conductor, composer and Zar Alexander III. im Jahre 1883, der Oktober 2011. An diesem Tag wurde italien dann im Mai 1880. Das etwa sich Tschaikowsky auch mit der International Piano Competition when interpreter of an extensive repertoire, cultural leader — all are signifi cant das Werk auch bei ihm beauftragt das Bolschoi-Theater als kulturelles fünfzehnminütige Werk ist suitenartig Komposition großartiger Tondichtungen he was only 21, a prize that earned both as pianist and conductor. His facets of Mikhail Pletnev’s life as an hatte. Uraufgeführt wurde es am Zentrum Russlands nach mehrjähriger angelegt, die Sätze gehen direkt hervor. Bei der Inspiration durch him early recognition worldwide. An recordings have earned numerous artist. Yet he considers himself, simply, 23. Mai 1883 in Moskau unter Leitung Renovierung mit einem Staatsakt ineinander über. Eröff net wird es von hohe Literatur kam ihm seine invitation to perform at the 1988 prizes including a 2005 Grammy Award a musician. von Sergei Tanejew. Mehrfach zitiert wiedereröff net. Als Schlusshymne Fanfaren, die dem Zapfenstreich der Leseleidenschaft zugute, schließlich superpower summit in Washington led for the CD of his own arrangement, for Tschaikowsky voller Ehrerbietung und erklang – der Krönungsmarsch. italienischen Armee entstammen, auf zählte Tschaikowsky „das Lesen zu den to a friendship with Mikhail Gorbachev two pianos, of Prokofi ev’s Cinderella. symbolträchtig die Zarenhymne. Aber die wiederum eine nationale Volksweise größten Glücksmomenten“. Bei seinen and the historic opportunity to make He received Grammy nominations for nicht nur diese, sondern auch die folgt. Die Holzbläser spielen ein programmatischen Werken ging es music in artistic freedom. a CD of Schumann Symphonic Etudes dänische Königshymne – eine Referenz eingängiges neapolitanisches Volkslied, ihm aber nicht um das Ausarbeiten and for his recording of Rachmaninov an das Heimatland der Kaiserin, in welches das ganze Orchester eines präzisen literarischen Programms

Deutsch oder um die detaillierte Darstellung 1876 nach Tschaikowskys Rückkehr Satz fällt die Musik in die Höllenqualen durch das berühmte shakespearesche Die lange Adagio-Einleitung vermittelt Marche slave op. 31 ALL THE PIECES ON THIS ALBUM CAN ALSO von Handlung; vielmehr reizte ihn – aus Bayreuth innerhalb von nur drei des Anfangs zurück, bevor das Liebespaar zur Komposition ermutigen durch ihren choralartigen Charakter BE FOUND IN OUR BOX SET wie hier in Francesca da Rimini und Wochen in Moskau und wurde am 25. Schlagwerk die ewige Sühne der lassen würde. ein Gefühl ergebener Spiritualität, wie (1876) Romeo und Julia zu erleben - die Februar 1877 unter Nikolai Rubinstein Verdammten mit geradezu brutaler Tschaikowsky machte sich ohne sich in der Figur des Bruder Lorenzo TCHAIKOVSKY: THE SYMPHONIES AND MANFRED Psyche der dargestellten Figuren, ebenda uraufgeführt. In den Eckteilen Härte unterstreicht. große Begeisterung an die Arbeit darstellt. Es schließt sich im Allegro Der Marche slave op. 31 entstand im PTC 5186 489 deren charakterliche Entwicklung oder stellt Tschaikowsky die Qualen des und befolgte die detaillierten giusto eine brutale Episode an - mit Herbst 1876, sozusagen parallel zur auch die emotionalen Sackgassen Höllenfeuers dar. Extrem drastisch, Kompositionsanweisungen von jenem rhythmisch energischen Instrumentation der Francesca da und Verwirbelungen, in die sie sich grell, laut und dissonant geht es Romeo und Julia Balakirew: “Beginne mit der Musik, Hauptthema, das den Kampf zwischen Rimini. Am 5. November 1876 wurde selber manövrierten oder in die sie vor allem am Beginn des Werkes die Bruder Lorenzo repräsentiert, Montagues und Capulets symbolisiert das Werk, das im Auftrag von Nikolai hineingezogen wurden. zu, das von einer Art Motto-Thema (Fassung von 1880) unterbrich diese dann durch den (Schlagwerk!). Schließlich tritt das Rubinstein für ein Konzert zugunsten beherrscht wird. Durch ostinatoartige Streit der verfeindeten Familien und Seitenthema ein, ein lyrisch strömender des slawischen Wohltätigkeitsvereins für Auf der Fahrt zur Urauff ührung Wiederholungen des hochgradig Wie zahlreiche andere Komponisten porträtiere dann die jungen Geliebten.” Holzbläser-Gesang, der für die Liebe verwundete Soldaten komponiert wurde, von Richard Wagners Der Ring chromatischen motivischen Materials auch, so ließ sich Tschaikowsky von Im November 1869 vollendete zwischen Romeo und Julia steht. Bei uraufgeführt. Tschaikowsky schrieb das des Nibelungen im Jahr 1876 las evoziert der Komponist die nicht der verhängnisvollen, ins Verderben Tschaikowsky die erste Fassung seiner der Urauff ührung in Moskau 1870 wurde Stück im patriotischen Fieber, das ihn Tschaikowsky in Dantes Commedia endenden höllischen Qualen. Der führenden Liebe inspirieren. Interessant Fantasie-Ouvertüre Romeo und Julia. die Ouvertüre kühl aufgenommen und in Gestalt des kurzen, aber blutigen Divina (Göttliche Komödie). Dabei mittlere Abschnitt berichtet von der ist dabei, dass der junge Komponist von Auf Ratschlag Balakirews folgten zwei bei den ersten Auff ührungen im Westen Serbisch-Türkischen Krieges gepackt muss ihn die Episode aus dem 5. Liebe zwischen Francesca und ihrem Mili Balakirew zur Kompositionsarbeit weitere Fassungen in den Jahren 1870 erging es dem Stück nicht besser. Aber hatte. Ursprünglich lautete der Titel von Gesang aus dem „Inferno“ über die Schwager Paolo. Von Klarinette und regelrecht animiert wurde. Balakirew und 1880. Und es sollte auch dann Tschaikowsky erlebte es, dass sich die op. 31 auch „Serbo-Russischer Marsch“. unglückliche, da verbotene Liebe Streichern intonierte Liebesthemen schlug Tschaikowsky vor, Shakespeares noch mehr als zehn Jahre dauern, bis Meinungen änderten und heute zählt Das Hauptthema ist wenig überraschend von Francesca da Polenta zu ihrem bestimmen das lyrische Geschehen, Romeo und Julia als Vorlage zu nutzen Tschaikowsky mit seinem Werk vollauf Romeo und Julia zu den berühmtesten ein serbisches Volkslied. In der Coda Schwager, die mit dem gewaltsamen bevor die Ankunft von Francescas – wahrscheinlich wusste Balakirew von zufrieden war. Bei der Planung der Shakespeare-Vertonungen in der wird es mit der seinerzeitigen russischen Tod der beiden Liebenden endete, Gatten Giancitto durch Hörnerrufe Tschaikowskys unerwiderter Liebe zu Musik konzentrierte sich Tschaikowsky Orchesterliteratur überhaupt. Nationalhymne („Gott, erhalte den besonders beeindruckt haben. Die angekündigt wird. Das Ende des der belgischen Sopranistin Désirée Artôt auf drei primäre Elemente des Dramas, Zaren“) kombiniert, um die Einheit der dreiteilige Tondichtung entstand Liebespaares ist besiegelt. Im dritten und nahm an, dass sich der Komponist die in Sonatensatzform umgesetzt wurde. slawischen Völker zu beschwören. © Russian National Orchestra Acknowledgments

Executive Producers Liner notes Rick Walker & Job Maarse Franz Steiger Premium Sound and Outstanding Artists Recording Producer English translation Job Maarse Fiona J. Stroker-Gale Music of today is evolving and forever Together with our talented artists, Balance Engineer Design changing, but classical music stays we take pride in our work of providing Erdo Groot Joost de Boo true in creating harmony among the an impeccable way of experiencing instruments. Classical music is as time- classical music. For all their diversity, Recording Engineer Product manager honored as it is timeless. And so should our artists have one thing in common. www.pentatonemusic.com Roger de Schot Angelina Jambrekovic the experience be. They all put their heart and soul into the music, drawing on every last drop Editing The Russian National Orchestra wishes We take listening to classical music of creativity, skill, and determination to Erdo Groot & Roger de Schot to thank Ann and Gordon Getty, the to a whole new level using the best perfect their compositions. Mikhail Prokhorov Foundation, and the technology to produce a high quality Sit back and enjoy Audio recording & postproduction Prince Michael of Kent Foundation for recording, in whichever format it may Polyhymnia International B.V. their support of this recording. come, in whichever format it may be released.

This album was recorded at DZZ Studio 5 in Moscow, Russia.

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