Barmotin: Piano Music

Featuring

Christopher Williams
Semyon Barmotin

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Compositional Technique

In free variation form, as seen in Barmotin's Tema con variazioni, each variation can depart from the theme in every aspect, including melody, harmony, and rhythm, and can even transform into a dance like a waltz or mazurka.

Composer Biography

Semyon Alexeyevich Barmotin, a Russian composer, was born in St. Petersburg in 1877 and studied composition with Rimsky-Korsakov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Composer Biography

For a long time, the date of Semyon Alexeyevich Barmotin's death was unknown, leading to speculation that he might have suffered a dire fate under the Soviet regime in the 1930s.

Composer Biography

Barmotin's early musical education began with Mily Balakirev, a renowned Russian composer and conductor, at the Court Kapella in St. Petersburg.

Recording & Production

This album features the world premiere recording of Semyon Alexeyevich Barmotin's 20 Preludes, Op. 12 and Tema con variazioni, Op. 1.

Performer Biography

Christopher Williams, the pianist on this album, is assistant director of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and a pianist for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with whom he has performed at the BBC Proms.

Composition History

Barmotin's Tema con variazioni, Op. 1, published in 1904, reflects the trend of 'free variation form' popular in post-Romantic European music between 1900 and 1904.