Barry Douglas - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Seasons, Op. 37, Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition

Two of the most popular romantic Russian piano works from the mid-1870s are heard on this new album from the celebrated Barry Douglas. Lyricism lies at the heart of the twelve movements of Tchaikovsky�s The Seasons (1875 � 76), commissioned by the periodical Nouvelliste to appear monthly, accompanied by poetic epigraphs. Tchaikovsky got his servant to remind him of his duty on a certain day in the month, and composed each piece in a single sitting. Each reflects characteristics of a different month, the style is simple, the mood introspective.