Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Igor Stravinsky - Russian Ballet Suites (Andrey Gugnin)

Information

Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Igor Stravinsky

• Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker, Op. 71
• Stravinsky - 3 Movements from Petrushka, K12
• Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty Concert Suite
• Stravinsky - The Firebird, K10, Suite

Andrey Gugnin, piano

Date: 2025

Label: Hyperion

_____________________

This album pairs piano transcriptions of ballet music by Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, two trailblazers of the genre. Tchaikovsky, working under the strict demands of choreographer Marius Petipa, nonetheless created symphonically rich scores with memorable melodies, intricate textures, and brilliant orchestration. Stravinsky, by contrast, composed The Firebird and Petrushka in close collaboration with choreographer Michel Fokine, freely experimenting with rhythm and gesture to produce groundbreaking modernist works. Their partnership with Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes revolutionized ballet, prioritizing bold originality over convention. These piano versions capture both the beauty of the originals and the artistry of pianistic expression.

Andrey Gugnin (b. 1987, Moscow) is acclaimed for his virtuosic technique and inspired musical imagination. A student of renowned teachers including Olga Mechetina and Lev Naumov, he rose to prominence after winning the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2016. His award-winning recordings, notably Shostakovich’s preludes and sonatas (BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Award, 2020), and Liszt’s Transcendental Studies (Gramophone Editor’s Choice, 2018), highlight his versatility. Gugnin performs with leading orchestras worldwide and has appeared on major stages from Carnegie Hall to the Musikverein. His artistry extends across solo works, concertos, and recordings featured in film, cementing his international reputation.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz