Tchaikovsky's piano music

[redbaron]

Thoughts on Tchaikovsky's piano music?

Having just listened to Viktoria Postinikova's box set of the complete works I can honestly say that it was a pleasure. I was already familiar with The Seasons but that was about all. The two sonatas, the Dumka, the Russian folksongs, the Op 19 Variations... All wonderful pieces, so much so that their apparent neglect puzzles me. I know that some of it is regarded as unpianistic and awkward to play but if that alone stopped music from becoming successful then the majority of Brahms and Schumann would have never seen the light of day.

It has given me a new appreciation of Tchaikovsky. I was never that much of a fan before, even his Piano Concerto No 1 I find to be quite overrated and incoherent. Listening to the piano music has enabled to appreciate his skill with melody and harmony. It seems to me that there is often much to be enjoyed in the neglected piano music of some of the greats. Sibelius' piano music was a revelation for me (I think his sonata should be up there with the best of the Romantic repertoire) and I also greatly enjoyed the piano works of Dvorak. As much as I adore Brahms, Chopin and Rachmaninov, I think that there is so much more out there that needs to be heard.

[49410enrique]

i've never understood why it is so out of favor i recent times, i have a tchaikovsky album and love many of the pieces in it, my first work out of it was with a new professor to me at the time and the Dumka really turned out to be one of the funnest most beautiful concert solos i had learned to date.  i have since listened to recordings of many of the others you mentioned the Theme and variations, nocturnes, etc, all lovely pieces.

perhaps becuase pianistically he really didn't do anything revolutionary, no new compositional techniques, didn't employ harmonic language contrary to common practice, etc., but within the confines of the conventions he followed he had the above all (and really to this date more than probably anyone) the gift of melody, timeless beautiful melodies, exquisitely crafted, maybe that's why his ballets and symphonies and other ensemble works continue to be so popular in the standard orchestra repertoire.

i do feel it's ironic how popular and cherished Rachmaninoff is (rightly so) for his piano writting when he really looked to Tchaikovsky so much for inspiration (i.e. neo romanticism) in fact that was one of the criticisms of Rach. at his time was how 'old fashioned' he was, he was too much in the tradition of Tchaikovsky for his time according to critics, today he's loved for it and dear Peter pretty much ignored...sad really. I love his piano (solo) works dearly.

i would like to share a recording I have of a wonderful seldom played work though (one i hope to learn sometime n the next 24 months when i can finish up several important piano lesson assignments i have now and immediate future).   this recording and score is from Op 2 No. 1 really lovely pieces and a quick burst of color and virtuosity in the B section before returning to it's somber begining....

score also has No2 the Scherzo but a recording of that i have not yet found (it took me FOREVER to find a decent one of No1 which I attached)

[redbaron]

Yes this is indeed a beautiful piece, one of my favourites from Viktoria Postnikova's recording.