Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Russian ballet with Cyprien Katsaris' captivating album, "Russian Ballet Transcriptions for Four Hands and Two Pianos." Released on January 1, 2016, under the Piano 21 label, this classical piano album is a testament to Katsaris' virtuosity and his deep appreciation for the timeless compositions of renowned ballet suites.
Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, the album features a meticulously curated selection of pieces from iconic ballets, including "The Firebird," "Prince Igor," "The Sleeping Beauty," "The Nutcracker," "Swan Lake," and "Gayaneh." Each track is a masterful transcription for two pianos or four hands, showcasing the intricate arrangements by Achilleas Wastor, Ann Pope, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Eduard Langer, Claude Debussy, Adolf Gottlieb, and Victor Babin.
Katsaris' interpretation of these beloved classics brings a fresh perspective to the music, highlighting the rich harmonies and dynamic rhythms that define Russian ballet. The album opens with the fiery and dramatic "The Firebird" suite, followed by the exotic and rhythmic "Polovtsian Dances" from "Prince Igor." The delicate and elegant "Adagio" from "The Sleeping Beauty" and the festive and lively selections from "The Nutcracker" showcase the versatility and depth of Katsaris' playing.
The album also includes notable pieces such as the dramatic "Danse russe" and the sultry "Danse espagnole" from "Swan Lake," as well as the energetic "Danse du sabre" and the folk-inspired "Lezginka" from "Gayaneh." Each piece is performed with precision and passion, capturing the essence of the original ballets and transporting the audience into the world of Russian classical music.
"Russian Ballet Transcriptions for Four Hands and Two Pianos" is a celebration of the enduring legacy of Russian ballet and a showcase of Cyprien Katsaris' exceptional artistry. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that highlights the beauty and power of these timeless compositions.
Piano 21Piano 21
Tracks
The Firebird, Suite No. 2: I. Introduction & II. L’oiseau de feu et sa danse - 1919 Version Arr. for 2 Pianos by Achilleas Wastor, World Premiere RecordingIgor Stravinsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Firebird, Suite No. 2: III. Variation de l’oiseau de feu - 1919 Version Arr. for 2 Pianos by Achilleas Wastor, World Premiere RecordingIgor Stravinsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Firebird, Suite No. 2: IV. Ronde des princesses - 1919 Version Arr. for 2 Pianos by Achilleas Wastor, World Premiere RecordingIgor Stravinsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Firebird, Suite No. 2: V. Danse infernale du roi Kastcheï - 1919 Version Arr. for 2 Pianos by Achilleas Wastor, World Premiere RecordingIgor Stravinsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Firebird, Suite No. 2: VI. Berceuse & VII. Final - 1919 Version Arr. for 2 Pianos by Achilleas Wastor, World Premiere RecordingIgor Stravinsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
Prince Igor, Act II: No. 17, Polovtsian Dances - Arr. for 2 Pianos by Ann PopeAlexander Borodin, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op. 66a: II. Adagio. Pas d’action - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Sergei RachmaninoffPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: I. Ouverture miniature - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: II. Marche - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: III. Danse de la fée Dragée - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: IV. Danse russe, Trépak - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: V. Danse arabe - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: VI. Danse chinoise - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: VII. Danse des mirlitons - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
The Nutcracker, Suite, Op. 71a: VIII. Valse des fleurs - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Eduard LangerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
Swan Lake, Op. 20: No. 20, Danse russe - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Claude DebussyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
Swan Lake, Op. 20: No. 21, Danse espagnole - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Claude DebussyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
Swan Lake, Op. 20: No. 22, Danse napolitaine - Arr. for Four-Hands Piano by Claude DebussyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
Gayaneh, Suite No. 3: No. 5, Danse du sabre - Arr. for 2 Pianos by Adolf GottliebAram Khachaturian, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
Gayaneh, Suite No. 1: No. 8, Lezginka - Arr. for 2 Pianos by Victor BabinAram Khachaturian, Cyprien Katsaris, Etsuko Hirose
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