Rebikov: Christmas tree : Waltz

The Christmas net is cast wide in this captivating collection of seasonal music.

John Fox has crafted a delightful Carol Fantasia. Bryan Kelly’s Scrooge is an action-packed Dickens compression, brought to visceral life by esteemed actor Simon Callow, who also narrates Philip Lane’s Another Night Before Christmas, an update by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy of the classic poem. Lane’s Old Christmas Music is expressively rich, and spans the centuries. Smaller pieces from Liszt, orchestrated by Gordon Jacob, Rebikov and more recent works, complete a delightful selection.

In the early years of the 20th century Bartók, Stravinsky, and Schoenberg were venturing out in their own modernistic directions. Yet, at the same time, there were a number of composers in Russia who continued to compose in a Romantic manner. With so much attention being paid to the modernists, many of these Romantic composers were largely ignored and have fallen into unjust neglect. Of the seven composers presented in this recital, only Rachmaninoff has become a household name. Scriabin has gained considerable respect (though in great part for his late works, which are quite modern in style) and Medtner is only just starting to be appreciated by a wider public. Bortkiewicz, Liadov, Liapunov, and Rebikov wrote attractive, emotionally appealing music, but they have yet to receive the recognition they deserve. The majority of their works are hardly known. This collection hopes to introduce solo piano works of some of these unjustly neglected Russian composers.

Bulgarian-born Nadejda Vlaeva's playing has been acclaimed wherever she has appeared. Lazar Berman called her talent "God-given"; Maestro Hans Graf observed that "her musicality and the depth of her interpretation amazed me." Arnold Steinhardt, leader of the Guarneri String Quartet, praised her as "one of those people of extraordinary ability whom we hope for but rarely see." She has performed internationally, giving solo recitals in Bulgaria, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, The Netherlands, Germany, England, Spain, Canada and the United States, where she now makes her home.

What would Christmas be without a performance of The Nutcracker, a helping of Russian Choir music and a hint of sleigh bells and snow. This wonderful Melodyia release is a great way to musically celebrate the Christmas season. Superbly played and conducted this is an excellent release for those who like something a little different from the usual carols!