Lugansky - Rachmaninoff, tudes-Tableaux Op. 33 (No. 1, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8)

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Études-Tableaux, Op. 33 (1911) Nikolai Lugansky, 2022 Perm Philharmonic [0:00] Allegro non troppo in F minor — No. 1 [3:23] Allegro con fuoco in E♭ major — No. 6 (published as No. 4; originally No. 7) [5:23] Moderato in G minor — No. 7 (No. 5; No. 8) [9:35] Grave in C♯ minor — No. 8 (No. 6; No. 9) “The cycle opens with Étude-tableau in F minor that presents us the austere and ascetic world of medieval Russia. Accompanied by a march-like rhythm the choral - the Znammenny chant - sounds relentless, suggesting the vision of a Christian Orthodox army, setting out to confront its enemy in the battlefield. At the end of the study when the host passes from view the panorama of immobile, dormant and surrealistic Russia of Blok's verse unfolds itself: You are unusual even sleeping I should not touch your robe at all There’s mystery beyond my dreaming And in that mystery you dwell Only in the middle and at