Catalogue

Summary:

“The two have been playing together for just over 30 years, and it shows: the subtle give-and-take, the wonderfully precise ensemble and the feel of long acquaintance with the music” – Gramophone

“These pianists achieve glistening clarity, presented in superb sound; the sense of flow is easier and more fluent than Donohoe/Roscoe and more directional than either the Argerich/Baldocci and Argerich/Rabinovich versions. The Morceaux, a set of six exquisitely crafted pieces, emerges as impeccably fresh. A worthy companion to Owen and Apekisheva’s disc of Stravinsky ballets. Recommended” ★★★★★ – International Piano

“Owen & Apekisheva, with their sensitivity to the music’s [t Suite No. 2] tonal and textural nuances, and their rich, warm piano sound, evoke Rachmaninov the composer. These same qualities, as well as the duo’s stylistic flexibility and impeccable musicianship well capture the widely varied moods of Rachmaninov’s Six Morceaux. The recording offers robust and wide-ranging sound … A welcome release.”  Artistic Quality 9   Sound Quality 9  – Victor Carr Jr, Classics Today

“The Suite No. 1 begins with a beguiling Barcarolle which gradually builds in complexity as it proceeds, and the clarity of the textures as presented here are the result of much careful rehearsal combined with the splendidly balanced recorded sound. These strengths, moreover, set a standard that can be experienced throughout the recital… it is the final movement – Pâques – which makes the strongest impression of all, with Rachmaninov’s favourite bell-sounds ringing forth in joyful sonority: a wonderful sound, vividly realised. The Second Suite is more ambitious still, and magnificently realised by Owen and Apekisheva from the opening bars. The exuberant enthusiasm of the performance reflects the very nature of the music …”  – Terry Barfoot, MusicWebInternational.com

Pianist Charles Owen and his regular duo partner Katya Apekisheva turn to Rachmaninov’s diverse Suites for two pianos, and the composer’s atmospheric Six Morceaux, for their first joint recording for AVIE. The co-founders of the London Piano Festival delve into the quintessentially Russian Suite No. 1, also known as “Fantasise-Tableaux”, with its poetic inspirations, and the more traditional Suite No. 2 which marked Rachmaninov’s compositional comeback after a four-year hiatus. Rounding out the album, Charles and Katya share the piano bench for the atmospheric piano-four hands Six Morceaux.

Tracklist:

SERGEI RACHMANINOV (1873–1943)

Fantaisie-tableaux, Op. 5 (Suite No.1) for two pianos
1. I. Barcarolle: Allegretto (7.57)
2. II. La Nuit, l’Amour: Adagio sostenuto (5.53)
3. III. Les Larmes: Largo di molto (6.05)
4. IV. Pâques: Allegro maestoso (2.53)

Suite No. 2, Op. 17 for two pianos
5. I. Introduction: Alla marcia (4.06)
6. II. Valse: Presto (6.29)
7. III. Romance: Andantino (6.58)
8. IV. Tarantelle (6.10)

Six Morceaux, Op. 11 for piano, four hands
9. I. Barcarolle (5.04)
10. II. Scherzo (2.53)
11. III. Thème russe (4.10)
12. IV. Valse (4.06)
13. V. Romance (3.04)
14. VI. Slava! (4.36)

Recorded: 5–8 August 2017, Hall One, King’s Place, London
Producer: Matthew Bennett
Recording engineer & editing: Dave Rowell