Tchaikovsky: The Seasons – Grand Sonata – Kempf

   in Piano International (Mar, 2016)
Tchaikovsky composed two piano sonatas: a student effort in C-sharp minor (partly reworked in the First Symphony) and this one in G major from 1878, coeval with the Violin Concerto. Although sharing the same opus number, the misnamed suite Het Seasons dates from two years earlier, a set of 12 depictions of the calendar months. Inspired by verses from several Russian writers, it was composed to appear in instalments through the year in a monthly journal. Freddy Kempf gives nicely realised performances of both works, the Sonata – especially the two big opening movements – showcasing his sense of structure while The Seasons provides opportunities for neatly drawn characterisation. Intended …