This fourth volume in Nicholas Walker’s complete edition of Balakirev’s piano music is structured around his three Scherzos, which take us from the youthful influence of Chopin and Liszt in the First Scherzo, to the music of his prolific final decade, from which the Second Scherzo is one of his finest compositions. Balakirev’s interest in Spanish music was kindled by his mentor Glinka, creating surprisingly authentic sounding textures and rhythms, and the programme is topped with the elegantly masterful poetry of the two Valse-Caprices.
“This album is the fourth in a series of the complete piano music of Balakirev. Like the first three volumes, it includes previously unpublished and unrecorded work, in this case Balakirev’s arrangement of Chernomoor’s March from Glinka’s Ruslan i Ludmila, exciting codas to Chopin’s Scherzo No.2 and Liszt’s Mazurka Brillante, as well as the charming Polonaise Brillante, written when the composer was only 16. In addition there are a number of beautiful and often quite spectacular arrangements and original works, even including portrayals of snow and balalaikas.” (Nicholas Walker)
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