Anna Shelest, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi - A Romantic from Kharkiv: Music of Sergei Bortkiewicz (2025) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 16: I. Lento. Allegro deciso
02. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 16: II. Andante sostenuto
03. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 16: III. Molto vivace e con brio
04. Lamentations & Consolations, Op. 17: No. 1 in D Minor
05. 3 Pieces, Op. 24: No. 1, Nocturne
06. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 1, Der Kalif Harun-al-Raschid
07. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 2, Geschichte des armen Fischers
08. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 3, Tanz der jungen Mädchen
09. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 4, Orientalischer Tanz
10. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 5, Das verzauberte Schloß
11. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 6, Zobeïde
12. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 7, Tanz der Trauer
13. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 8, Tanz der drei Schwestern
14. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 9, Bacchanale
15. A Thousand and One Nights, Op. 37: No. 10, Der böse Zauberer entschluepft aus der Flasche



This deeply personal attitude toward Romanticism encapsulates the artistic philosophy that sustained Ukrainian composer Sergei Bortkiewicz (1877–1952) through the turbulent tides of the early 20th century: the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the unrelenting horrors of the Second World War. Anchored in a deep sense of nostalgia, his works evoke a world imbued with dreams and elegance—a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded him. The composer’s life and career reflect the multiethnic, multilingual, and politically complex tapestries of Ukraine during his time. This album is dedicated to the city of Kharkiv—the hometown of both the composer and the pianist featured on this recording.

Hailed by The New York Times as a pianist of a fiery sensibility and warm touch, Anna Shelest continues her collaboration with the legendary conductor Neeme Järvi with this release. Their previous recordings featuring the complete works for piano and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein have been praised by Gramophone Magazine for their “…power and agility… effortless effect… nuanced and incisive all around.”

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