Prokofiev: Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 6

These archival recordings from the 1920s and 1930s of Prokoviev interpreting his own compositions will be of great interest. They reflect different aspects of his works. The collection includes a famous recording of his Piano Concerto No.3 with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Prokofiev is regarded by many as one of the most complex and progressive composers of the early twentieth century. His catalogue of music numbers some 135 works in such varied genres as symphony, sonata, ballet, opera, art-song, string quartet and film music. He was one of the last in a long tradition of pianist-composers and the nine piano sonatas are all testament to the quality and fertility of the composer’s mind. Prokofiev’s output within the piano sonata genre represents the most important and influential in the Twentieth Century.

His melodic, rhythmic and harmonic material encompasses a new world, far removed from the conventional romantic ideals of the time. The structure of this sonata is conventional but the unusual sonorities, juxtaposition of harmonies and syncopated rhythmic patterns all come together to produce a radical style of composition.

However, despite all of these new ideas, tonality as a structural base is essential for Prokofiev in all his works.

Sergei Dukachev was born in Magnitogorsk, a city in the Ural Mountains on the border between Europe and Asia, where he began to learn the piano at the age of six. In 1989, he distinguished himself by being a prize winner in the International Beethoven Competition in Vienna.

Sergei developed close artistic links with Britain during his years at the Moscow Conservatoire, and in the late 1990s, began a series of annual visits to give concerts in England. Now a sought-after performer in England, Sergei’s appearances have included illustrated talks and masterclasses at many venues – in particular the Chetham’s Summer School in Manchester.

These are live recordings and this is the first time that they have been available on CD. Even in the early 1940s, Richter was acknowledged to be a unique interpreter of Prokofiev’s music. These recordings were made in 1961 and 1979.

The great Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter has been a regular feature of the BBC Legends's catalogue since 1998 with twelve recordings released.

This early recital from the Royal Festival Hall in July 1961 was recorded when Richter was a rare visitor to the UK - a few days later, he played the Chopin/Debussy recital (BBCL40212) followed a week later by the Liszt Concertos (BBCL40312) as well as the Dvorak Piano concerto (to be issued).

All the works appearing in this recital have been recorded by Richter at various points during his career but the broadcast of 8th July 1961 has never been issued before and was a 'gala' event in London at the time.

Richter is a proven seller on BBC Legends and as Richter did not like recording in studio conditions, his BBC broadcasts bring out the very best of his artistry.

Sviatoslav Richter represents the summit of pianistic achievement: his incredible virtuosity and strength, his vision of structure and form, the range of emotion he was able to express on his instrument in concert and on disc have never been surpassed.

Now, for the first time, all nine of the solo and concerto LP-recordings he made for Deutsche Grammophon have been gathered into a single box-set at budget price. All of these recordings have been in the DG catalogue since they were made; if they’re not still at top price, they’re in The Originals series.

It started in 1956 with a Schumann recital and ended in 1962 with a recital recorded live on tour in Italy. In between there were five concerto LPs (including Rachmaninov’s Second, Tchaikovsy’s First with Karajan, the Schumann and Prokofiev’s Fifth) and two more mixed recitals. Here they are, faithfully reproduced in their original couplings (newly mastered) and with original artwork in mini-LP format. The CD booklet (in the style of the The Martha Argerich Collection) has masterly new liner notes by piano expert Jeremy Siepmann, who manages to capture the essence of Richter the man and musician, as well as furnishing precise annotations on each of the albums in turn.

An essential box-set for all serious lovers of piano music.