RACHMANINOV: Piano Sonata No. 1; TCHAIKOVSKY: The Seasons - Olli Mustonen (HYBRID SACD)

Mustonen's fourth solo piano album for Ondine, faithfully rendering his glittering piano sound and technique in SACD quality. It features Rachmaninov's seldom-performed first Piano Sonata, coupled with Tchaikovsky's The Seasons, a popular cycle of twelve intimate miniatures. Olli Mustonen, praised by The Sunday Times as "a living dream of pianism, having broken through an expressive barrier that other players do not know exists", is known for delivering a fresh and visionary approach to standard repertoire.

Mustonen creates a savage case for an unduly neglected sonata. (...) his super-human agility allows him a freedom unknown to lesser pianists. (...) Mustonen is no less remarkable in Tchaikovsky's Seasons, scorning their gentler, more domestic virtues.
Bryce Morrison, Gramophone, November 2006

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Piano Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 2835:03
1I. Allegro moderato12:37

2II. Lento8:52

3III. Allegro molto13:46

Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
The Seasons, Op. 37b36:02
4I. January: At the Fireside4:28

5II. February: Carnival2:46

6III. March: Song of the Lark2:20

7IV. April: Snowdrop2:35

8V. May: Starlight Nights3:25

9VI. June: Barcarolle3:01

10VII. July: Song of the Reaper1:37

11VIII. August: Harvest2:52

12IX. September: The Hunt2:35

13X. October: Autumn Song3:52

14XI. November: Troika-Ride2:52

15XII. December: Christmas3:31