Book Description

A great musical tradition flourished in the late 19th- and early-20th–century Russia, nurturing such renowned composers as Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, and Prokofiev. Unfortunately, many superb compositions by lesser Russian composers have been eclipsed by the works of these giants. In this volume, University of Kentucky musicologist Dmitry Feofanov presents eleven overlooked masterpieces — important Russian piano works of the late 18th to 20th centuries virtually unobtainable elsewhere. Here is Mikhail Glinka's Prayer, a rare program piece by the founder of Russian opera, the first composer whose music was performed in the West; German-born Johann Hässler's Sonata-Fantasie, Op. 4, which anticipates Beethoven in structure; and Sergey Liapunov's Transcendental Etude, Op. 11, No. 10, a stunning tour de force of piano technique. Also included in this impressive collection: Balakirev: Rêverie Glazunov: Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, Op. 62 Griboyedov: Two Waltzes Kalinnikov: Nocturne in F-Sharp Minor Liadov: Prelude, Op. 11, No.1 Medtner: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 22 Schlözer: Etude in A-flat, Op. 1, No. 2 Taneyev: Prelude and Fugue, Op. 29 All scores are authoritative, reprinted from rare Russian texts, many of which are now out of print — with new translations of performance instructions. Short biographies of each composer and background information on each piece round out this fine, modestly priced performance and study edition — sure to appeal to pianists, students, music historians, and music lovers everywhere.