The Russian composer Yevgeny Zemtsov (1940-2016) may be better known for the dynasty of musicians - most of them violists - that he fathered than he is for his own music. This first album ever to be devoted to his music features works from the beginning and end of his career: some early violin works, influenced by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, a Bartókian string quartet, three spirited and spiky piano miniatures, an oblique piano elegy and five late, enigmatic, almost ritualistic settings of Japanese haikus. Late in life, too, he discovered a fascination with tango, and the album also features his elegant arrangements for string quartet and quintet of two Piazzolla favorites.
1 String Quartet~I. Lento - Allegro agitato - Lento doloroso
2 String Quartet~II. Allegro molto
3 String Quartet~III. Allegro Agitato - Lento maestoso
4 Ballada for violin and piano
5 Violin Sonata No. 1, in memoriam Sergei Prokofiev~I. Moderato
6 Violin Sonata No. 1, in memoriam Sergei Prokofiev~II. Lento cantabile
7 Violin Sonata No. 1, in memoriam Sergei Prokofiev~III. Allegro vivo
8 Three Inventions for piano~No. 1 Fughetta (Allegro)
9 Three Inventions for piano~No. 2 Intermezzo (Adagio molto capriccioso)
10 Three Inventions for piano~No. 3 Toccatina (Presto)
11 Ohnemass for piano
12 Five Japanese Poems for soprano, two violins and cello~No. 1 How silent is the garden
13 Five Japanese Poems for soprano, two violins and cello~No. 2 On the naked branch of a tree sits a raven
14 Five Japanese Poems for soprano, two violins and cello~No. 3 Shudder, o hill!
15 Five Japanese Poems for soprano, two violins and cello~No. 4 O, this path through the undergrowth
16 Five Japanese Poems for soprano, two violins and cello~No. 5 All is filled with silver moonlight
17 Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)~I. Verano Porteño (Buenos Aires Summer)
18 Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)~II. Invierno Porteño (Buenos Aires Winter)
19 Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)~III. Primavera Porteña (Buenos Aires Spring)
20 Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)~IV. Otoño Porteño (Buenos Aires Autumn)
21 grand Tango
The Russian composer Yevgeny Zemtsov (1940-2016) may be better known for the dynasty of musicians - most of them violists - that he fathered than he is for his own music. This first album ever to be devoted to his music features works from the beginning and end of his career: some early violin works, influenced by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, a Bartókian string quartet, three spirited and spiky piano miniatures, an oblique piano elegy and five late, enigmatic, almost ritualistic settings of Japanese haikus. Late in life, too, he discovered a fascination with tango, and the album also features his elegant arrangements for string quartet and quintet of two Piazzolla favorites.
