Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty / Children's Album / Piano Sonata, Op. 80 / Theme and Variations, Op. 19/6

Daniil Trifonov, hailed by the New York Times as "one of the most awesome pianists of our time", releases his highly anticipated Tchaikovsky album!

The star pianist explores a selection of Tchaikovsky's solo piano works. These reveal the more intimate, private side of the Romantic composer. "Tchaikovsky was not a choleric, morose personality. Particularly in his younger years, he found joy in his close relationships and emotional comfort in his family," says Trifonov.

The album includes the early Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, 'a neglected masterpiece', which is rich in contrasting moods and original ideas; the Thème original et variations in F major; and the Children's Album, Op. 39. Together, these works provide an insight into what Daniil Trifonov calls Tchaikovsky's "private dimension" - "a spirit conditioned by memories of youth and family". The album concludes with the vibrant and colourful Suite from Sleeping Beauty. This was written in 1978 by Mikhail Pletnev, who was 21 years old at the time. Pletnev won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in the same year - just as Trifonov did 33 years later in 2011 with his spectacular victory. For Trifonov, Pletnev's transcription for solo piano featuring highlights from the popular Tchaikovsky ballet is "a masterful piano work in its own right".