Cellist Bozidar Vukotic and pianist Alissa Firsova make their debuts on SOMM Recordings with Russian Visions, a revealing survey of chamber duets by three 20th-century giants: Stravinsky, Schnittke and Dmitri Smirnov. Five contrasting works reveal the diversity of stylistic approaches in modern Russian music while also paying tribute to the countrys revered school of cello playing in pieces dedicated to legendary Russian cellists of the last century Gregor Piatigorsky, Natalia Gutman and Mstislav Rostropovich. The modernism of Schnittkes Second Cello Sonata is heard alongside the romantic lyricism of his First Sonata and Smirnovs Tiriel, and against the neo-classical leanings of Stravinskys Suite Italienne and Schnittkes Musica nostalgica. Heard here in its first recording, Dmitri Smirnovs Tiriel one of many pieces inspired by the artist William Blake was drawn from his similarly titled 1985 opera and takes the form of a lilting, lyrical lullaby welcoming the release from sorrow afforded by sleep.