Mikhail Pletnev, renowned for his virtuosic technique and profound musicality, presents "The Piano Colorist," a captivating journey through the realms of classical piano music. Released on June 10, 2025, under Warner Classics, this album is a testament to Pletnev's artistic prowess and his ability to breathe new life into both familiar and lesser-known works.
Spanning a diverse repertoire, "The Piano Colorist" features an impressive array of compositions from some of the most celebrated composers in history. The album opens with Rachmaninov's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," a tour de force that showcases Pletnev's technical brilliance and emotional depth. The program continues with selections from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty," and Scriabin's "24 Preludes," each piece performed with Pletnev's signature clarity and expressiveness.
Pletnev's interpretations are marked by a keen sensitivity to the nuances of each composition, revealing the subtleties and complexities that lie beneath the surface. His playing is both precise and evocative, capturing the essence of each piece with remarkable insight. The album also includes works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Mozart, and others, demonstrating Pletnev's versatility and mastery of a wide range of musical styles.
With a total duration of 2 hours and 56 minutes, "The Piano Colorist" offers a rich and immersive listening experience. Pletnev's performances are not merely technical displays but deeply personal explorations of the music, inviting listeners to discover new dimensions in these timeless works. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to be a rewarding and enriching experience.
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Introduction. Allegro vivaceSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation I. PrecedenteSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Theme. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation II. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation III. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IV. Più vivoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation V. Tempo precedenteSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VI. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VII. Meno mosso, a tempo moderatoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VIII. Tempo ISergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IX. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation X. Poco marcatoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XI. ModeratoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XII. Tempo di minuettoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIII. AllegroSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIV. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XV. Più vivo, scherzandoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVI. AllegrettoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVII. AllegrettoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII. Andante cantabileSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIX. A tempo vivaceSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XX. Un poco più vivoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXI. Un poco più vivoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXII. Un poco più vivo. Alla breveSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIII. L'istesso tempoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIV. A tempo un poco meno mossoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mikhail Pletnev, Libor Pešek, Philharmonia Orchestra
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade IIModest Mussorgsky, Mikhail Pletnev
Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Act III "The Wedding": No. 23c, Pas de quatre. Variation II "The Silver Fairy" (Arr. Pletnev for Piano Solo)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Pletnev
Scriabin: 24 Preludes, Op. 11: No. 1 in C MajorAlexander Scriabin, Mikhail Pletnev
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 1Domenico Scarlatti, Mikhail Pletnev
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": II. AllegrettoLudwig van Beethoven, Mikhail Pletnev
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition: III. TuileriesModest Mussorgsky, Mikhail Pletnev
Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Act III "The Wedding": No. 26a, Pas de caractère. Little Red Riding-Hood and the Wolf (Arr. Pletnev for Piano Solo)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Pletnev
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in F Minor, Kk. 386Domenico Scarlatti, Mikhail Pletnev
Haydn: Piano Concerto in F Major, Hob. XVIII:7: II. AdagioJoseph Haydn, Mikhail Pletnev, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Tchaikovsky: 6 Pieces, Op. 21: No. 2, Fugue à quatre voixPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Pletnev
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 "Waldstein": II. Introduzione. Adagio moltoLudwig van Beethoven, Mikhail Pletnev
Scriabin: 24 Preludes, Op. 11: No. 4 in E MinorAlexander Scriabin, Mikhail Pletnev
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 141Domenico Scarlatti, Mikhail Pletnev
Haydn: Piano Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50: III. Allegro moltoJoseph Haydn, Mikhail Pletnev
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in B Minor, Kk. 27Domenico Scarlatti, Mikhail Pletnev
Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Act III "The Wedding": No. 28c, Pas de deux. Adagio (Arr. Pletnev for Piano Solo)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Pletnev
Brahms: Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2: II. Allegro appassionatoJohannes Brahms, Michael Collins, Mikhail Pletnev
Haydn: Piano Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII:11: III. Rondo all'ungareseJoseph Haydn, Mikhail Pletnev, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen