Piano Classics

21/10/2025

COMING SOON!
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21/10/2025

New recordings of neglected but compelling piano works from the spring of Giuseppe Martucci’s career.
Martucci composed all the pieces on this album during the year 1876. As Ilaria Sinicropi observes in her booklet essay, Martucci was ‘a composer in the making’, in the first flush of his talent. In finding his own voice for instrumental composition, he looked naturally northwards, to the other side of the Alps, and in particular to Schumann and to Brahms, with their strong narrative arcs, their expansion of traditional models such as sonata form and their richly chromatic but disciplined harmony.
The more adventurous language of the Capriccio e Serenata Op.57 was yet to come. Yet the first movement of the Piano Sonata - mysteriously neglected by pianists until now, with no other recordings in the current catalogue - already shows Martucci stretching his wings, and adapting the fantasy-style of Schumann to the ends of his own lyrical style. Sinicropi hears within it a powerful evocation of nature in the mould of Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, and it prefigures the imposing intensity of expression in the third-movement Andante, with a scintillating Scherzo to serve as intermezzo and a Lisztian finale which synthesizes elements of chorale, fugue and rondo.

The suite of Four Pieces Op.31 do not venture into the Sonata’s ambitious terrain, cast by and large in a vein of gentle introspection, but they too reward close listening (which again is only now possible with Ilaria Sinicropi’s recording). In fact the opening Nocturne is the most developed piece of the quartet, belying its title with fiery outbursts and unexpected pauses. The following barcarolle and Romance may be heard as songs without words in a stylish emulation of Mendelssohn, before a final ‘Dolce Ricardo's (Sweet Memory) returns to the tripartite but eventful form of the Nocturne.
Finally, the Mazurka Op.35 makes a graceful encore, ‘deeply rooted in the Italian tradition and the expressive style typical of mannerism,’ according to Ilaria Sinicropi. Her affinity with this music is abundantly clear from her playing as well as her writing, and with this album she makes an auspicious debut on Piano Classics, which is sure to attract wider attention.

https://www.piano-classics.com/articles/m/martucci-piano-sonata-4-piano-pieces-op31-mazurka-op35/

21/10/2025

Ekaterina Litvintseva, Iconic Ballets for Piano!

Ervaar een magische avond in de Edesche Concertzaal met de piano solo vertolkingen van Tchaikovsky's Notenkraker tot Stravinsky's Vuurvogel door de wereldvermaarde pianiste Ekaterina Litvintseva!

Laat je meevoeren door de betoverende klanken van Iconic Ballets for Piano, waarin pianiste Ekaterina Litvintseva drie iconische balletwerken vertolkt: Tchaikovsky’s Notenkraker, Prokofjevs Romeo & Julia en Stravinsky’s De Vuurvogel. Een uniek concert vol virtuositeit, Russische diepgang en Europese finesse – én de feestelijke presentatie van haar nieuwe cd op het label Piano Classics.

Mét medewerking van acteur/verteller Tycho Francis die je meeneemt naar de verhalen achter deze iconische balletten!

Edesche Concertzaal te Ede
Zaterdag 25 oktober - 20:00 uur

TICKETS:
https://www.edescheconcertzaal.nl/concerten/2325-ekaterina-litvintseva-piano-iconic-ballets-for-piano-tsjaikovski-prokofjev-stravinski

CD: https://www.piano-classics.com/articles/i/iconic-ballet-music-for-piano/

18/10/2025

Some fireworks on the Piano Classics release of Ekaterina Litvintseva’s Iconic Ballet Music for Piano!

17/10/2025

Very touched by this review in International Piano for the latest disc in the Alkan series - “Reminiscent of Earl Wild and Ivan Davis in their prime, needing little more than a day to record 73 minutes, Viner has the ideal measure of this repertory, living out its lyricism and fire; his mellifluous touch, purling velocity, graceful phrasing and exultant, open-throttle climaxes are enriching and clarifying.”

02/10/2025

Iconic Ballets for Piano / Piano Classics CD-presentatie
Nutcracker - Romeo & Juliet – The Firebird
Ekaterina Litvintseva, piano

Laat je meevoeren door de betoverende klanken van Iconic Ballets for Piano, waarin pianiste Ekaterina Litvintseva drie iconische balletwerken vertolkt: Tsjaikovski’s Notenkraker, Prokofjevs Romeo and Juliet en Stravinski’s The Firebird. Een uniek concert vol virtuositeit, Russische diepgang en Europese finesse – én de feestelijke presentatie van haar nieuwe CD.

Kaarten hier--> https://www.edescheconcertzaal.nl/concerten/2325-ekaterina-litvintseva-piano-iconic-ballets-for-piano-tsjaikovski-prokofjev-stravinski

23/09/2025

Duco Burgers recently joined the NPO Klassiek podcast 'Vrije geluiden' to discuss his new album Lili & Nadia Boulanger: Piano Music. Please note: the conversation is in Dutch.

🎵 You can find purchasing, streaming and downloading options for the album here: https://PianoClassics.lnk.to/LiliNadiaBoulangerFA

In de podcast deelt Duco zijn fascinatie voor het levensverhaal én de muziek van de zussen en natuurlijk de muziek van zijn cd! Nu te beluisteren: https://www.npoklassiek.nl/podcasts/vrije-geluiden-op-4/130622/lili-nadia

12/09/2025

🎶 Discover New Classical Playlists! 🎶

We’ve just created four brand-new Spotify playlists, and we release fresh, beautiful playlists every week! ✨

Follow them now and enjoy the perfect soundtrack for study, relaxation, or reflection: https://open.spotify.com/user/brilliantclassics?si=8537be9c7671456f

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

🎹 Peaceful Piano - Soothing piano pieces for moments of relaxation, study, or reflection: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dfK0emtVr6kvquTTzXmeb?si=b92d76824dfc4670

🎻 Classical Violin - Exquisite violin masterpieces spanning the classical repertoire, perfect for moments of reflection and beauty: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3v5asDHABSKdpFnqgYpb0F?si=a1e006324974421e

📀 Classical on Vinyl: Timeless classical recordings from our LP releases, bringing the warmth of vinyl to every listen: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3hHdK2IJksG6IxVzGKH6p6?si=b513c0710c064629

🍼 Classical Piano for Babies - Delicate classical piano to help your baby relax, rest, and dream peacefully: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1XXrADONzYkjmw5mjDsihq?si=3cc2a9ec491d4ebd

Which playlist will be your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

01/10/2024

Deeply felt new recordings of these landmarks in Romantic piano literature on a modern Steinway grand, by an Italian artist with an active interest in the lineage of piano history.

🎵 Listen to this album on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6LLP7kTbJ0
💎 Purchase or streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Presto): https://pianoclassics.lnk.to/ChopinCompleteNocturnesFA

On recordings for Piano Classics ranging from Beethoven to Alkan and beyond, the Italian pianist Vincenzo Maltempo has demonstrated a deeply informed understanding of Romantic piano literature, both in the nuts and bolts of its composition and in the field of its reception. According to a Fanfare review for album of Schumann, ‘This impressive young Italian pianist displays a great love and dedication towards this music. Maltempo, who was born in 1985, begins with smouldering technique, no surprise for someone who has made a name for himself as a fearless interpreter of the briar-patch scores of Alkan.’

In his own booklet introduction to his latest recording, Maltempo explores the nature of a Chopin tradition, as handed down to us from accounts of the composer’s own playing, his instructions to his students, and then the early recordings made by renowned interpreters such as Cortot and Pugno. ‘What their recordings share is a relatively free or liberal interpretation of elements in the score that are now treated more rigidly. Their application of rubato is more subtle, their pedal technique does not cloud the sound but clarifies melodies and harmonies. They communicate a wide and infinitely varied dynamic range, and a diaphanous warmth of phrasing, without falling into mannerism or “sentimentality”.’

These qualities, therefore, are the guiding lights to his own playing of the Nocturnes. Maltempo has chosen to record them on an 1888 Steinway piano, distinguished by the clarity of articulation which has always been a Steinway hallmark, but bestowing on these quintessential pieces of nocturnal poetry a softer and more rounded palette than we are accustomed to find on modern pianos. These recordings are, in the best possible sense, ‘historically informed’, without being bound either to the barline or to doctrinal notions of a ‘correct’ Chopin performance. They are, instead, as free and as personal, yet as imbued with the inner spirit of the score, as it seems the composer wished to find in his performers.

#1888

20/09/2024

A must watch video! Check it out now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAu2wnHeq5Y

A wonderful video from about Charles-Valentin Alkan: Alkan is awesome. A contemporary of Chopin and Liszt, this french composer-pianist penne...

09/09/2024

🎹 World Premiere Alert! 🎶

Today at 3 PM CEST; An Interview with Andrea Molteni goes live on our 24/7 livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aecNQ2FDgpI.

We're excited to announce that Andrea Molteni will also be joining the stream live for a Q&A in the chat!

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to engage with Andrea in real time!

🎹 World Premier Alert 🎶

Join us for an exclusive interview with the brilliant pianist Andrea Molteni as he takes us on a captivating journey through his musical world with Piano Classics. Discover the inspirations behind his albums, hear his thoughts on the art of piano, and enjoy breathtaking performances of pieces by iconic composers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his work, this is a must-watch for all music lovers!

🔗 Don’t miss out! The interview goes live on Monday, September 9th, at 3 PM (CEST) on our 24/7 livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aecNQ2FDgpI

Start times around the world:
PDT: 6:00 AM
EDT: 9:00 AM
BST: 2:00 PM
CEST: 3:00 PM
JST: 10:00 PM
AEST: 11:00 PM

06/09/2024

Enjoy the weekend!

Discover the enchanting world of French piano music with this collection of timeless masterpieces. Featuring works by Debussy, Ravel, Alkan, Satie, and more, this playlist highlights the elegance, innovation, and emotion that define French piano composition. From the dreamy Impressionism of Debussy to the evocative simplicity of Satie, these pieces are sure to captivate and inspire

Discover the enchanting world of French piano music with this collection of timeless masterpieces. Featuring works by Debussy, Ravel, Alkan, Satie, and more,...