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

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