RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
VIDEO PODCAST: James Ross and Eric Fraad discuss Streaming, Downloads and CDs with Maria Nockin, Mary Mogil, David Arditti, Gerald Fenech, John Daleiden, John Dante Prevedini, Lucas Ball and Stephen Francis Vasta.
Russian composer Mili Alexeievich Balakirev was born at Nizhny-Novgorod (now Gorky) on 2 January 1837. He collected, arranged and published Russian folksongs, and his original works include the symphonic poem Tamara and the oriental fantasy Islamey. Pupils include Borodin, Cui, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. He died in St Petersburg on 29 May 1910.
CD Spotlight. A Winning Disc - Romantic music for piano four hands impressed the late Howard Smith. '... Buccheri and Boldrey convey the demanding score with spellbinding assurance.'
CD Spotlight. Striking and Virtuosic - Etsuko Hirose plays Balakirev, and impresses Robert Anderson. '... electrifying performance ...'
CD Spotlight. Unaffected Restraint - Halida Dinova plays music that tells stories, heard by Howard Smith. '... a mesmerising interpreter ...'
CD Spotlight. Striking Power - Leslie Howard plays Rachmaninov, heard by Howard Smith. '... a staggering technique.'
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Richness - Arensky Piano Trios, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The Rachmaninov Trio Moscow plays with obvious affection for the music and enviable skill.'
Ensemble. Better Late than Never - The BPSE Late Summer Festival, attended by Malcolm Troup
CD Spotlight. Unforced Miniatures - Balakirev and Russian folksong, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... to be applauded.'
CD Spotlight. Heightened Intimacy - Russian Romantic songs, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... magically touching musicianship ...'
CD Spotlight. Tender longing - Daniil Shtoda sings Russian songs, reviewed by David Wilkins. '... wonderfully expressive ...'