Search - Boris Tchaikovsky :: Boris Tchaikovsky: Trio; Quartet No. 6; Sextet

Memorable works of the underrated genius.

David A. Hollingsworth | Washington, DC USA | 06/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Boris Tchaikovsky (1925-1996) is unbelievably among the most neglected composers especially in the era after Shostakovich. To my mind, this immensely talented, highly idiomatic composer, provided a wonderful synthesis between the Myaskovskian sense of musical tradition and the yearn to experiment and expand the expressions and techniques behind the music making. He was a neoclassical composer in the truest sense and measures up to Denisov, Schnikke, Part, Ustvolskaya in terms of originality & advanced yet accessible melodic language. I'm quite tempting to claim his Trio for Piano, Violin, & Cello in B Minor (1953) as his masterpiece. Although he completed it shortly after his graduattion from the Moscow Conservatory, the Trio have plenty going for it. The Toccata first movement is relentless with its ideas fresh and engaging. But the Aria second movement is highly captivating: with its mood restrained and the writing is somewhat poetic and perhaps elegiac that Myaskovsky & Rachmaninov would have love to claim as their own. But, Tchaikovsky's identity is such a strong presence especially in the finale (variations) where the composer's neoclassicism have a considerable presence.Two other works on this disc are also admirable in their own ways. The Sixth Quartet (1976) in one movement is likewise neoclassical, with hints of Nielsen and Shostakovich. Although the ideas are somewhat abstract like the later works of Knipper (his Third Quartet for instance), Tchaikovsky's piece is more tightly drawn, with the mood alternating between the uplifting and the subdued, melancholic. The Sextet of 1990 have a good deal going for it too: the allegro movements are somewhat energetic and playful and yet in the andante sostenuto & the largo, the mood is dreamingly introspective (the harp added the beautiful dimensions to these slow movements). Indeed, it has some of the same engaging characteristics as Gavriil Popov's Septet (1926) in the delicate and sometimes virtuosic writings of the winds (a bit of Petrushka) while the harmonic language is not even a world apart between the two. Overall, this a worthwhile acquisition although there are two quibbles I must raise (one of which is minor). For one thing, in re-issuing or recording works of unjustly neglected composers like Tchaikovsky, Vainberg, et al., there should be a hugh incentive to fill up a disc especially when being sold at a full price. At 57 minutes, this disc could have easily include another work (like his appealing Cello Sonata of 1957 coupled with Vainberg's recently re-issued then shortly deleted by Russian Disc). There's nothing wrong in heightening the curiosity of the curious and this disc is a bit too modest in that respect. Quibble II (a minor one), the Largo movement of the Sextet (track 8) is 4:21, not 0:21. The performances overall, especially by Boris Tchaikovsky himself (as a pianist in his Trio) are excellent and captured the spirit behind the music admirably. The recordings meanwhile gave the works close to full justice."

The other Tchaikovsky

David A. Hollingsworth | 01/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard the work of Boris Tchaikovsky at a Chamber Orchestra Kremlin concert. I couldn't believe that this talented composer/musician was so obscure. The conductor of the Orchestra had no idea how I could purchase CDs by Mr. Tchaikovsky. I was delighted to see multiple recordings being offered. I waited impatiently to receive my CD. I am happy to report that my expectations were met. This CD is a must for any Chamber Music enthusiast."