This MP3.com site is devoted to the extraordinary Russian pianist, Vladimir Sofronitsky.(1901-1961) Sofronitsky has been universally embraced by his countrymen and colleagues alike as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. The performances included here have just been issued on the Vista Vera label, whose catalog includes two other Sofronitsky discs. These performances were recorded in concert in Moscow in 1960. For information on ordering, please visit Vista Vera's website or write to vistavera@mtu-net.ru

Program notes and biography on this site by John Bell Young. Copyright 2000. All rights reserved.
Please note that the recordings of Sofronitsky teaching are not on the Vista Vera label. For more information about these, please write: molodoi@tampabay.rr.com

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"SCRIABIN: Poeme Tragique" genre: Piano
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	This heroic work numbers among those early works inspired in part by Nietsche's re-evaluation of values. The urgency of its principle motivic figuration in triplets are punctuated by re-occuring short-to-long rhythmic gestures that audaciously symbolize individual will. The orchestrally conceived middle section, which intensifies this motive, is most certainly among the most difficult and challenging for any pianist to tackle. Few have brought to it the white-hot intensity of Sofronitsky.
	CD: Vladimir Sofronitsky plays Scriabin   Label: Vista Vera #97014 Credits: Digital engineer: Sergei Proklov; Consultant: igor Nikonovitch
"SCHUMANN: Evening" genre: Piano
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	The German title of this work, Des Abends, is no less descriptive than its English equivalent. The first entry in Schumann's Fantasy Pieces, this work's qiescent hush is calm but also luxurious for its soulful eloquence of expression.
	CD: VLADIMIR SOFRONITSKY plays SCHUMANN   Label: VISTA VERA #00024 Credits: Digital Engineer: Yuri Suvorov
"SCHUMANN: Carnaval (Preambule)" genre: Piano
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	Carnaval,Op. 9, is a suite of twenty pieces and is among Schumann's most famous and endearing works. It is in effect a group of character pieces, musical portraits of friends, acquaintances and occassionally, imaginary figures: Florestand and Eusebious, for example, were the psychologically induced emblems of Schumann's complex persona, representing his masculine and feminine sides. Each work is based on four notes A E flat C and B , which in German notation are A, S, C and H.That's an amalgram that stands for Asch, the name of the town from which Clara Wieck, the love of Schumann's life and eventually his wife, came from. So one mighht say that Carnaval, like so many of his works, is a kind of magniloquent love letter.This opening Preambule is a festive affair, ever so elegant as it depicts what might be a costume ball just getting underway as the guests take to the dance floor and, sweeping each other off their feet, bring in the new year with an intoxicating waltz.
	CD: VLADIMIR SOFRONITSKY plays SCHUMANN   Label: VISTA VERA #00024 Credits: Digital engineer: Yuri Suvorov

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