Cyprien Katsaris invites you to explore the enchanting world of Russian ballet through his masterful piano transcriptions on the album "Russian Ballet Transcriptions for Four Hands and Two Pianos." Released on January 1, 2016, under the Piano 21 label, this captivating collection spans a rich duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, offering a symphony of classical elegance.
The album features a stunning array of works from renowned ballets, including Stravinsky's "The Firebird," Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," "Swan Lake," and "The Sleeping Beauty," as well as Khachaturian's "Gayaneh" and Borodin's "Prince Igor." Each piece has been meticulously arranged for two pianos or four hands, showcasing Katsaris' virtuosity and deep understanding of these timeless compositions.
Highlights include the world premiere recordings of Achilleas Wastor's arrangements of "The Firebird," where Katsaris brings to life the fiery intensity and delicate grace of Stravinsky's score. The album also features Ann Pope's arrangement of the iconic "Polovtsian Dances" from "Prince Igor," and Sergei Rachmaninoff's own arrangement of the "Adagio. Pas d’action" from "The Sleeping Beauty."
Katsaris' interpretations are both technically brilliant and emotionally resonant, capturing the essence of each ballet's narrative and musical depth. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and immersive experience, showcasing the brilliance of Russian ballet music through the lens of Cyprien Katsaris' extraordinary talent.
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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