Rachmaninov: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33/39 Martin Cousin

• Sergei Rachmaninov (1873 – 1943): Études-Tableaux, Op. 33:
• 1 No. 1 in F Minor: Allegro non troppo 03:00
• 2 No. 2 in C Major: Allegro 02:41
• 3 No. 3 in C Minor: Grave 04:40
• 4 No. 5 in D Minor: Moderato 03:18
• 5 No. 6 in E-Flat Minor: Non allegro 01:50
• 6 No. 7 in E-Flat Major: Allegro con fuoco 01:49
• 7 No. 8 in G Minor: Moderato 03:32
• 8 No. 9 in C-Sharp Minor: Grave 02:45
• 9 No. 1 in C Minor: Allegro agitato 03:22
• 10 No. 2 in A Minor: Lento assai 07:30
• 11 No. 3 in F-Sharp Minor: Allegro molto 03:16
• 12 No. 4 in B Minor: Allegro assai 03:53
• 13 No. 5 in E-Flat Minor: Appassionato 05:12
• 14 No. 6 in A Minor: Allegro 02:46
• 15 No. 7 in C Minor: Lento 06:39
• 16 No. 8 in D Minor: Allegro moderato 03:27
• 17 No. 9 in D Major: Allegro moderato 03:52
• Total Runtime 01:03:32

Info for Rachmaninov: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33/39

With the award of a Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal Overseas League Music Competition, London and First Prize at the 2005 Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition, Scottish pianist Martin Cousin joins the ranks of such illustrious predecessors as Maurizio Pollini, Geoffrey Parsons, Jacqueline Du Pré and John Lill. Recitals, festival appearances and concerto engagements have taken him all over the world. In this, his third “Russian” disc for SOMM, he continues with Rachmaninov’s complete Études-Tableaux, which are ideally suited to both his fearless technique and to Rachmaninov’s compositional style and sonorities.

Rachmaninov composed the Op. 33 Études-Tableaux in the summer of 1911 just after completing his second set of Preludes Op. 32. They are compositionally more advanced than the Preludes and explore a variety of themes through modal harmonies, and different piano textures and sonorities. Written in 1916-17, the Op. 39 Études-Tableaux are melodically more angular and harmonically astringent. They are perceived as a hidden set of variations on the plainchant Dies Irae, parts of the chant being quoted directly in each of the nine studies. They are extremely virtuosic, calling for unconventional hand positions and wide leaps for the fingers, features which place these works outside the scope of any but the most formidable virtuoso technique.

“with this recording Martin Cousin claims himself a place in the first rank of today's performers...he can charm us with his melting readings of the wistful Op. 33 D minor and G minor moderatos, without ever falling the wrong side of sentimental. A landmark recording.” (The Observer)

“[Cousin] tackles the...demanding sets of Etudes-Tableaux and demonstrates an impressive command of their huge technical challenges...[In Op. 39 No. 4] supported by an admirably clear recording, [he] succeeds in establishing an unexpected musical link to Prokofiev in the way he deploys the relentless almost percussive rhythmic patterns.” (BBC Music Magazine)

Martin Cousin, piano

Martin Cousin
is now regarded as one of the most dynamic pianists of his generation, having been awarded 1st prize at the 2005 Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition (Seregno, Italy) and Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition (London).

Martin has appeared regularly in the major British musical venues since graduating from the Royal College of Music, making his London solo debut at the Purcell Room in 1998 to great critical acclaim. Numerous solo recitals followed, notably at the Wigmore Hall in 2001 and 2005.

He has performed as concerto soloist with the London Philharmonic, Halle, Royal Philharmonic and BBC Concert Orchestras.

Performances further afield have included tours of New Zealand, the US, Indonesia and Thailand, concerts in Stockholm, Brussels, Toronto, Tokyo, Berne and The Hague together with numerous recitals throughout Italy.

2006 saw the release of his debut CD of Rachmaninov’s Sonata No 1 and Morceaux de Salon with SOMM Recordings, which was selected as Classical CD of the week by the Daily Telegraph, with Geoffrey Norris stating that, “Martin Cousin’s debut disc establishes a striking new benchmark for the interpretation of Rachmaninov’s 1st Piano Sonata ….. has discretion, judgment, perception and formidable technique.”

The US magazine Fanfare added, “This is the performance of the 1st Sonata that I have always heard in my head but never thought I’d actually get to hear with my ears. This guy’s the Real Deal!”

Highlights of the last two seasons have included Tchaikovsky’s 1st Concerto at Bridgewater Hall and Symphony Hall, Gershwin’s Concerto in F at the Adrian Boult Hall and the European premiere of Terry Mann’s ‘No Ordinary Piano Suite’ at the Purcell Room.

Alongside his solo schedule, chamber music has taken him to Prague, Zimbabwe and Barbados and he is a founder member of the Aquinas Piano Trio.

In 2009, Trinity Guildhall Exams invited him to record the Grade 6-8 violin and piano syllabus (2010-2015) with Andrew Haveron.

This season will see the release of his much-anticipated second CD for SOMM Recordings, which will feature Glazunov’s Piano Sonatas, along with a return to the Wigmore Hall and Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Philharmonia at Barbican Hall and Royal Festival Hall.

Martin’s hands are also featured on the big screen in the Oscar-winning film “Shine”, for the scenes involving Rachmaninov’s 3rd Concerto.

Booklet for Rachmaninov: Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33/39