Dmitry Masleev - Piano (2017) [Hi-Res]

Melodiya presents a disc recorded by young Russian pianist Dmitry Masleev. The musicians name became widely known after his convincing victory at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2015 when he received the first prize and a special prize for his performance of a Mozart concerto. Dmitry Masleev was born in Ulan-Ude and graduated from the Moscow Conservatory where he studied under Professor Mikhail Petukhov. He was awarded his first prize when he was 13 years old. Now a soloist of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, he can boast a vast repertoire performing with some of the best Russian and foreign orchestras to rave reviews from reputable music critics. In early 2017, Dmitry debuted at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Philharmonie and the Konzerthaus Berlin. This disc is focused on Russian music of the 20th century. Shostakovichs Piano Concerto No. 2 dedicated to the composers son Maxim was recorded by Dmitry Masleev as part of the project comprising Shostakovich's complete concertos recorded by the Tatarstan State Orchestra and conductor Alexander Sladkovsky. The pianist also performs Prokofievs Piano Sonata No. 2, a virtuosic and 'rebellious' piece written when the composer was young (his Piano Concerto No. 3 was one of the key numbers of the pianists competition programme). On the face of it, Domenico Scarlattis piano sonata next to Prokofievs piece may seem odd, but the transparent clarity of the Italian composers early classicism seamlessly blends with the nature of the selected works. The programme comes with an encore Shostakovichs Elegy from Ballet Suite No. 3 arranged by Dmitry Masleev.

"The slow movement's Rachmaninov pastiche is played very simply, very straight, and the finale's 7/8 rhythms pushed to the limit. There's a charming Shostakovich bonus item, too. All good, and very well recorded." (The Arts Desk)

Dmitry Masleev, piano
Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Sladkovsky, conductor