V. Postnikova, G. Rozhdestvensky - J. C. F. Bach, F. Lachner, F. Schubert, W. A. Mozart, M. Balakirev, B. Smetana, C. Czerny / Мелодия 2x Audio CD 2012 / MEL CD 10 01997

UPC 4600317119974

• Label: Мелодия – MEL CD 10 01997
• Format: 2 x CD, Album
• Country: Russia
• Released: 2012
• Genre: Classical

Overview

This 2012 release by the iconic Мелодия label brings together a rich selection of four-hand piano and organ works from some of the most beloved classical composers. Featuring the expert musicianship of Viktoria Postnikova and Gennady Rozhdestvensky, this album presents a deep exploration of collaborative piano music across two discs.

The first disc features works from J. C. F. Bach, Franz Lachner, Franz Schubert, and W. A. Mozart, while the second disc offers pieces by Mily Balakirev, Bedřich Smetana, and Carl Czerny. This unique collection includes not only traditional four-hand pieces but also rare works for six and even eight hands, highlighting the complexity and beauty of ensemble piano music.

Highlights include Schubert’s Fantasia in F minor, one of the most emotional and technically challenging works in the four-hand repertoire, and Smetana’s Sonata in E minor for two pianos and eight hands, an exhilarating and rarely performed piece.

Interesting Facts

• Viktoria Postnikova is internationally acclaimed for her profound interpretations of Russian and Western European composers, while her husband Gennady Rozhdestvensky is one of Russia’s leading conductors, making this collaboration a true musical partnership.
• The four-hand piano genre was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as it allowed two pianists to perform together on the same instrument, fostering a close interaction between players.
• The album features Smetana’s Sonata for eight hands, a highly unusual and complex piece, typically only performed in specialized ensemble settings.
• Carl Czerny, known for his piano etudes, contributed significantly to the development of piano technique, and his Brilliant Variations on a Theme from Bellini's "The Capulets and the Montagues" for piano six hands adds a rare twist to the piano ensemble repertoire.

Track Listing

Disc 1 (Total Time: 68:52)

1. Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (1732-1795) – Sonata for keyboard four hands in A major
2. Franz Lachner (1803-1890) – Fugue for organ four hands in D minor
3. Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   • Fugue for organ four hands in E minor, Op. 152/ D. 952
   • Fantasia for piano four hands in F minor, Op. 103/D. 940
4. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
   • Sonata for piano four hands in D major, KV 381
   • Sonata for piano four hands in B flat major, KV 358

Disc 2 (Total Time: 71:04)

1. Mily Balakirev (1836-1910) – Russian Folk Songs for Piano Four Hands
2. Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884)
   • Sonata in E minor for two pianos eight hands
   • Rondo in C major for two pianos eight hands
3. Carl Czerny (1791-1857) – Brilliant variations on a theme from Bellini's "The Capulets and the Montagues" for piano six hands, Op. 295

Key Credits

• Performed By: Viktoria Postnikova, Gennady Rozhdestvensky
• Composed By: Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, Franz Lachner, Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mily Balakirev, Bedřich Smetana, Carl Czerny