Composer: Mily Balakirev
Performer: Nicholas Walker
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Grand Piano
Catalogue: GP714
Release: 2016
Size: 1.19 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Mazurka No. 1 in A Flat
02. Mazurka No. 2 in C sharp minor
Sonatina (Esquisses) in G
03. I. Allegro moderato
04. II. L’Istesso tempo
05. III. Coda: Poco a poco più agitato
06. Berceuse
07. Mazurka No. 3 in B minor
08. Mazurka No. 4 in G flat minor
09. Dumka
10. Mazurka No. 5 in C-Sharp Major (1884 version, completed by N. Walker)
11. Rêverie in F major
12. Humoresque
13. Mazurka No. 6 in A Flat
14. Piece in F-Sharp Minor (1851, 2nd version completed by N. Walker)
15. Mazurka No. 7 in E flat minor
16. Capriccio
This third volume of Balakirev’s complete piano music centres on the sequence of seven Mazurkas, infectiously lively pieces full of Slavic atmosphere and colour. The Humoresque in D major reveals his virtuosic flair whilst the Dumka in E flat minor uses improvisational elements to evoke the Russian landscape and the timelessness of village life. The Sonatina in G major was Balakirev’s last completed work and a joyous finale to a richly creative life. Reviewing Volume 2 [GP713], American Record Guide predicted that Walker’s series would become “the reference set for Balakirev”.