Semyon Barmotin received his musical training in St Petersburg, first in the Imperial Chapel Choir directed by Balakirev, and then in Rimsky-Korsakov's composition class at the Conservatory.
Performer Biography
Christopher Williams, the pianist on this album, is a music graduate of Cardiff University and also works as a composer, conductor, teacher, and arranger.
Composer Biography
The 'Tableaux de la vie enfantine' (Scenes of Childhood), Op. 9, is dedicated to the memory of Semyon Barmotin's mother, who hoped he would become a musician.
Composition History
Semyon Barmotin's early compositions were published by major Russian music publishers Belaieff and Jurgenson, but works composed after the October Revolution were likely not published.
Composition History
Semyon Barmotin's Piano Sonata in G flat major, Op. 4, was composed during a rich period in Russian music, seeing a flowering of piano sonatas in the first decade of the 20th century.
Historical Context
Semyon Barmotin lived under two radically different Russian regimes, separated by the 1917 Revolution, which created difficulties in accessing his complete works.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The appeal of Semyon Barmotin's piano music comes from his artistic personality, refined harmonic language, mastery of form, and intelligent pianistic writing that avoids unnecessary virtuosity to highlight emotional character.
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