Vestard Shimkus, Irina Krikunova, Yevgeny Akimov, Egils Sili, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, State Choir Latvija, Andris Poga - Bells: LNSO (2016) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 I. Introduction Allegro vivace
02. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 II. Variation I (Precedente)
03. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 III. Tema L'istesso tempo
04. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 IV. Variation II L'istesso tempo
05. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 V. Variation III L'istesso tempo
06. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 VI. Variation IV Piu vivo
07. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 VII. Variation V Tempo precedente
08. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 VIII. Variation VI L'istesso tempo
09. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 IX. Variation VII Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
10. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 X. Variation VIII Tempo I
11. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XI. Variation IX L'istesso tempo
12. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XII. Variation X L'istesso tempo
13. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XIII. Variation XI Moderato
14. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XIV. Variation XII Tempo di minuetto
15. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XV. Variation XIII Allegro
16. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XVI. Variation XIV L'istesso tempo
17. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XVII. Variation XV Piu vivo scherzando
18. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XVIII. Variation XVI Allegretto
19. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XIX. Variation XVII (Allegretto)
20. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XX. Variation XVIII Andante cantabile
21. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XXI. Variation XIX A tempo vivace
22. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XXII. Variation XX Un poco piu vivo
23. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XXIII. Variation XXI Un poco piu vivo
24. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XXIV. Variation XXII Marziale - Un poco piu vivo (Alla breve)
25. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XXV. Variation XXIII L'istesso tempo
26. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 XXVI. Variation XXIV A tempo un poco meno mosso
27. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra, Op. 35 I. Allegro, ma non tanto (The Silver Sleigh Bells)
28. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra, Op. 36 II. Lento - Adagio (The Mellow Wedding Bells)
29. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra, Op. 37 III. Presto (The Loud Alarum Bells)
30. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra, Op. 38 IV. Lento lugubre - Allegro - Andante (The Mournful Iron Bells)

When Rachmaninoff was sent an anonymous letter suggesting he set Edgar Allan Poe's ' The Bells' to music, the idea resonated with his own love of Russia's rich heritage of church bells. As he worked on the piece in Rome, Rachmaninoff was further inspired to be staying in an apartment once inhabited by Tchaikovsky, emphasising "the added stimulus of working in the room where Tchaikovsky had worked, of writing on the table on which he had written."

Poe's work, interpreted by Russian Symbolist poet Konstantin Balmont, covers key aspects of life: birth, marriage, fear, death. In 'The Bells', Rachmaninoff takes us on a journey through these milestones. Music brimming with joie de vivre, punctuated by tinkling celesta, reflects the early stages of life. Campana (bells) are used to conjure up wedding chimes in the sumptuous second movement, followed by the iron bells of doom in the third movement and haunting funeral bells in the last, in which the sombre atmosphere ultimately gives way to peace.

Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is amongst his most celebrated works, not least for the intoxicating new melody at the heart of the work, created from an inversion of the theme. The soloist is Latvian pianist Vestard Shimkus, who has been described as "a phenomenon" (Paavo Järvi), "superb" (American Record Guide), "inspired" (BBC), and "one of the most remarkable pianists of the young generation" (Piano News).

The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra is a team of outstanding musicians fast cementing its reputation as a leading orchestra on the world stage. This CD is released to mark the orchestra's 90th anniversary in 2016. The LNSO is joined by soloists Irina Krikunova (soprano), Yevgeny Akimov (tenor) and Egils Sili (bass baritone), and directed by acclaimed conductor Andris Poga, who is increasingly in demand worldwide.

'The Bells' also features the exceptional State Choir Latvija, whose versatility, ranging from choral classics to the soundtrack for the BBC's recent production of ' War and Peace' , has garnered widespread praise. The Choir celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2017.

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