Constantine Orbelian: Shostakovich, Mozart, Bach Piano Concertos
2/5/2013, 13 Tracks, 1:19:46
Featuring
Andrei Korsakov
Constantine Orbelian
Sergei Nakariakov
Nanse Gum
Jonathan Shames
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Dmitri Shostakovich
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Johann Sebastian Bach
Did you know?
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Compositional Technique
J.S. Bach's keyboard concertos, including the Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, were originally transcriptions of his own violin or wind concertos, a common Baroque practice to reuse material.
Performer Biography
Constantine Orbelian, the American pianist and conductor on this album, was the first American ever to become music director of an ensemble in Russia, appointed to the Moscow Chamber Orchestra in 1991.
Historical Context
J.S. Bach's keyboard concertos were often performed as chamber works with limited string players, as the harpsichord's volume would have been overbalanced by a larger ensemble.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in 1991-92 in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, with Edward Shakhnazarian as producer.
Performer Biography
Constantine Orbelian, the American pianist and conductor on this album, was born in San Francisco to Russian and Armenian emigré parents and made his debut with the San Francisco Symphony at age 11.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Shostakovich, the composer of the Piano Concerto No. 1, had a genius for elevating crude or banal musical themes into art, often transforming common material into sophisticated episodes.
Performer Biography
Constantine Orbelian, the American pianist and conductor on this album, was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship (ROF) medal in 2012 for his contributions to Russian musical culture.
