Here is a little something to offer tranquility in a mad world: the ‘June’ Barcarolle from Tchaikovsky’s piano cycle The Seasons. Sviatoslav Richter is the pianist. Wonderful for a lazy afternoon punting down the river in the sun [warning to my niece: not until after your exams!].

Why don’t more pianists play The Seasons? Twelve gorgeous slivers of vintage Tchaikovsky – yet the only time I’ve encountered them in the flesh, so to speak, has been for the occasional ABRSM exam and, er, in ballet class. Technically there aren’t many high-jumps or sprint marathons involved, which could explain it…too many performers prefer virtuosity. This is for those who’d rather cut straight the poetry beneath.

Enjoy!