Performer: Nicholas Walker
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Grand Piano
Release: 2019
Size: 1.24 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Balakirev: Reminiscences from Glinka’s “A Life for the Tsar”
02. Glinka: Chernomor’s march (from Ruslan i Lyudmila)
03. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 – II. Romance. Larghetto (Arr. M. Balakirev for Solo Piano)
04. Balakirev: Impromptu (After Chopin’s Preludes Nos. 14 & 11)
05. Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 31 (cadenza by M.A. Balakirev)
06. Liszt: Mazurka brillante, S221 / R43
07. Liszt: Mazurka brillante, S221 / R43 (cadenza by M.A. Balakirev)
08. Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 ‘Rasumovsky No. 2’ – III. Allegretto (Arr. M. Balakirev for Piano)
09. Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130 – V. Cavatina (Arr. M. Balakirev for Piano)
10. Balakirev: Gondellied in A Minor
11. Balakirev: Tarantella in B Major
12. Balakirev: Polonaise Brillante
Balakirev’s appreciation of other composers is reflected in transcriptions that also reveal his brilliance as a pianist. With several world premiere recordings, this programme includes the marvelous balalaika sonorities and virtuoso colors to be found in operas by Glinka, the novel concept of dovetailing preludes by Chopin, and the richness of Beethoven’s string quartets. A plaintive Gondola Song, the relentlessly energetic Tarantelle and Balakirev’s earliest surviving piano opus conclude this fifth volume in Nicholas Walker’s acclaimed complete edition of his piano works. Nicholas Walker studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Moscow Conservatoire. Winner of the first Newport International Piano competition, he has performed with major British orchestras, given recitals worldwide, and recorded for the BBC, BMG Arte Nova, ASV, Chandos and Danacord labels. He is also sought after as an imaginative and sensitive accompanist. In 2010 he organized the Balakirev Centenary concerts in London. He also teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.