Nikolay Miaskovsky (1881-1950)

[Brahmsian]

You're too modest, Jeffrey. Willy-nilly, you ARE an authority on Myaskovsky  .

I would go one step even further to say that Jeffrey is a leading authority on any Russian composer that isn't 100% mainstream. 

[vandermolen]

I would go one step even further to say that Jeffrey is a leading authority on any Russian composer that isn't 100% mainstream. 

HAHA 

[vandermolen]

This disc landed just yesterday.

Excellent Karl. If I say so myself, I think it's a really nice collection of NYM's works. The Divertissement is much more interesting than I originally thought.

[Karl Henning]

Excellent Karl. If I say so myself, I think it's a really nice collection of NYM's works. The Divertissement is much more interesting than I originally thought.

I'm reserving it for First-Listen Friday, Jeffrey!

[Karl Henning]

I've been listening to the late 'Divertissement' Op.80 from 1948, the year in which Miaskovsky, along with Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Popov and Shebalin was condemned during the notorious Zhdanov purges. It's a much more interesting work than I realised and lasts 26 minutes; sections (the first movement's waltz) reminded me of Ovchinnikov's score for the film 'War and Peace'  - altogether a most enjoyable work:

Good notes for the CD, Jeffrey!

[Karl Henning]

I would go one step even further to say that Jeffrey is a leading authority on any Russian composer that isn't 100% mainstream. 

Insofar as I may judge, I think that claim runs small risk of refutation

[vandermolen]

Good notes for the CD, Jeffrey!

Thank you Karl! Means a lot coming from you. Those notes were a bit of a labour of love. I really enjoyed doing the research and trying to find information about relatively unknown works. Also, I discovered that 'Silence' was not inspired by 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe, as suggested in the Marco Polo booklet, but by an entirely different work.

[Karl Henning]

Thank you Karl! Means a lot coming from you. Those notes were a bit of a labour of love. I really enjoyed doing the research and trying to find information about relatively unknown works. Also, I discovered that 'Silence' was not inspired by 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe, as suggested in the Marco Polo booklet, but by an entirely different work.

"The Raven" was a peculiar bit of speculation, on that writer's part.  It is a long time since I read Poe's fable, but I've got it right here on my Nook.

I especially noted Prokofiev and Myaskovsky playing a four-hands version, partly because of the labor the transcription must have entailed, but even more because if Prokofiev suffered any doubts of the piece's worth, I should have expected him as a friend to share those artistic misgivings with his characteristic candor (non-filtration, sometimes, on Prokofiev's part.)


Silence is every bit the stand-out work I was hoping to find.

[vandermolen]

"The Raven" was a peculiar bit of speculation, on that writer's part.  It is a long time since I read Poe's fable, but I've got it right here on my Nook.

I especially noted Prokofiev and Myaskovsky playing a four-hands version, partly because of the labor the transcription must have entailed, but even more because if Prokofiev suffered any doubts of the piece's worth, I should have expected him as a friend to share those artistic misgivings with his characteristic candor (non-filtration, sometimes, on Prokofiev's part.)


Silence is every bit the stand-out work I was hoping to find.

I'm so glad that 'Silence' has been a hit with you Karl. I've been playing it a lot myself recently.

[Tom 1960]

I recently saw this box set at an area music shop used for $6! To be honest, I am not very familiar with his music. Convince me I was wrong to pass on this.

[Karl Henning]

I recently saw this box set at an area music shop used for $6! To be honest, I am not very familiar with his music. Convince me I was wrong to pass on this.

Definitely worth so modest an investment, Tom!

https://www.youtube.com/v/bHb6JMXJW8o

[Roasted Swan]

I have all the original Olympia releases in this series - 17 discs as I recall - plus several other old Olympia releases.  BUT I've never really had a Miaskovsky light-bulb moment.  I remember liking an LP of the violin concerto wih Kogan (I think?).  So in the light of the recent forum Miaskovsky love-in I'm making him my next composer-to-be-rehabilitated!  Starting with Symphony 21 that was mentioned earlier today then perhaps No.6 which I also have in the Jarvi/DG version (and the Dudarova as well - but I find her dull in just about every disc I have - her Kalinnikov was awful!)......

[André]

I recently saw this box set at an area music shop used for $6! To be honest, I am not very familiar with his music. Convince me I was wrong to pass on this.

Go back to the record store, Tom ! 

Last November/December I listened to that set and a few other discs of his music. It's instantly recognizable even if it doesn't sound bold or original at first. Once his sound world is imprinted on the mind it stays there.

[aligreto]

I recently saw this box set at an area music shop used for $6! To be honest, I am not very familiar with his music. Convince me I was wrong to pass on this.

Go back immediately and put your $6 down!

[Tom 1960]

Go back immediately and put your $6 down!

It will be Tuesday. Hopefully it's still there! Thanks for the input fellas.

[Irons]

I have all the original Olympia releases in this series - 17 discs as I recall - plus several other old Olympia releases.  BUT I've never really had a Miaskovsky light-bulb moment.  I remember liking an LP of the violin concerto wih Kogan (I think?).  So in the light of the recent forum Miaskovsky love-in I'm making him my next composer-to-be-rehabilitated!  Starting with Symphony 21 that was mentioned earlier today then perhaps No.6 which I also have in the Jarvi/DG version (and the Dudarova as well - but I find her dull in just about every disc I have - her Kalinnikov was awful!)......

If Kogan recorded the VC I would like to hear it. I think it more likely Grigori Feigin.

[Roasted Swan]

If Kogan recorded the VC I would like to hear it. I think it more likely Grigori Feigin.

You are of course completely right.  I twitched when I wrote that thinking I was wrong....  I meant Kogan's recording of the Vainberg (as it was spelt on the original LP cover)



cracking disc!

[vandermolen]

I have all the original Olympia releases in this series - 17 discs as I recall - plus several other old Olympia releases.  BUT I've never really had a Miaskovsky light-bulb moment.  I remember liking an LP of the violin concerto wih Kogan (I think?).  So in the light of the recent forum Miaskovsky love-in I'm making him my next composer-to-be-rehabilitated!  Starting with Symphony 21 that was mentioned earlier today then perhaps No.6 which I also have in the Jarvi/DG version (and the Dudarova as well - but I find her dull in just about every disc I have - her Kalinnikov was awful!)......

The Dudarova is the longest on disc. Jarvi is better, Kondrashin (Russian Disc/Alto) is best of all but the Jarvi recording allows much more detail to be heard (like the funereal drumbeats at the end of the first movement). With Miaskovsky, the music can sound rather 'academic' but these are sometimes broken through by moments of great beauty, often accompanied by an underlying sadness (trio of the Scherzo of Symphony 6 for example) which I find very moving.

[vandermolen]

Go back immediately and put your $6 down!

Yes, sounds like an exceptional deal!

[Brahmsian]

It will be Tuesday. Hopefully it's still there! Thanks for the input fellas.

Don't walk Tom, run! 🙂