Lesser known Russian/Soviet composers

[Symphonic Addict]

To be released on 6 March 2026:



Kashperova, besides a composer, was the piano teacher of Stravinsky, so it puts extra interest on this coming release.

[DavidUK]

Popov symphonies 1,2 and 6
Shebalin symphonies 1 and 5

+1 for Kabalevsky, especially symphonies 1 and 4 and the First Piano Concerto.

And his magnificent Requiem which is partnered with the 4th symphony on an Olympia double CD.

[Cato]

To be released on 6 March 2026:



Kashperova, besides a composer, was the piano teacher of Stravinsky, so it puts extra interest on this coming release.

Thanks for the information!

Here is a recording of her Symphony in b minor:

[vandermolen]

Thanks for the information!

Here is a recording of her Symphony in b minor:

A very attractive sounding work.

[Roy Bland]

On Tppolitov-Ivanov

https://ippolitovka.ru/

concert with rare pieces of 11/11



For the first time after a long hiatus, Ippolitov-Ivanov's Symphony No. 1 will be performed under the direction of People's Artist of the USSR, Professor Yuri Simonov. His choral, vocal, chamber and instrumental works, as well as music written for the first Russian sound film, will also be presented.

[Symphonic Addict]

This is an extremely compelling disc of piano trio rarities by Russian/Ukrainian composers (Vladimir Dyck, 1882-1943; Constantin von Sternberg, 1852-1924; Sergei Youferov, 1865-1927). The short, carefree, graceful, yet substantial Sternberg is sandwiched between two dramatic trios, both in C minor, which are quite meaty and fresh-sounding, and where the striking ideas flow effortlessly. None of these trios contain modernistic writing, they are firmly rooted in the Russian late-Romantic tradition and all the good for that. I was especially taken by the Scherzo of the Dyck (what a marvel!) and the commanding first movement of the Youferov, but the whole works (including the Sternberg) have no waste whatsoever. Enthusiastically recommended.

[Roy Bland]

Mikhail Ziv(1921-1994)

[kyjo]

The other day I happened upon the delightful Harp Quintet in C minor (1953) by the barely-known Evgeny Golubev (1910-1988), contained on this album:



https://youtu.be/mN496cwz0D0?si=oLwngOfMl-wAonzQ

(Vera Dulova, harp & the Komitas String Quartet)

I don't know of any other Russian/Soviet chamber works featuring the harp, so I was most intrigued by this quintet. Its style is staunchly conservative in the Russian Romantic tradition, with hardly a hint of the comparatively "modern" idioms of Prokofiev or Shostakovich. However, this doesn't preclude it from being a thoroughly enjoyable and quite beautiful work which fills an interesting niche in the repertoire. Golubev was a hugely prolific composer with 7 symphonies, 6 concerti, and 24(!) string quartets to his name. Now there's a project for the record labels! In the meantime, there is a Melodiya album of his Piano Concerto No. 3 and Piano Sonata No. 4 (performed by Tatiana Nikolayeva), as well as quite a few works available on YouTube. I look forward to investigating more of his music!

[DavidUK]

Highly recommended 2nd symphony for fans of lesser known Russian/Soviet composers. The same recording is also available on the Russian Disc CD label, although the coupling is different.

[Roy Bland]

Highly recommended 2nd symphony for fans of lesser known Russian/Soviet composers. The same recording is also available on the Russian Disc CD label, although the coupling is different.

in fact (i've both) this is better lp melodiya sound quality was very poor

[DavidUK]

in fact (i've both) this is better lp melodiya sound quality was very poor

The quality of my LP is excellent so it can't be the recording. I know the manufacturing process could vary in the USSR, but often the cause of poor quality is that the record was played on poor equipment in the past so it is somewhat of a gamble when purchasing old records, especially from the Eastern Bloc. So far I've been lucky.

[Roy Bland]

The quality of my LP is excellent so it can't be the recording. I know the manufacturing process could vary in the USSR, but often the cause of poor quality is that the record was played on poor equipment in the past so it is somewhat of a gamble when purchasing old records, especially from the Eastern Bloc. So far I've been lucky.

maybe. However these would benefit from a good mastering.

[Cato]

Rostislav Boiko: Symphony 3

Concerning the Second Symphony:

maybe. However these would benefit from a good mastering.

Or a modern recording!


Anyway...

[vandermolen]

Highly recommended 2nd symphony for fans of lesser known Russian/Soviet composers. The same recording is also available on the Russian Disc CD label, although the coupling is different.

Yes, I have the Russian Disc CD.

[relm1]

Rostislav Boiko: Symphony 3

Concerning the Second Symphony:

Or a modern recording!


Anyway...

Very enjoyable music.  I wasn't expecting it to be so traditional. 

[DavidUK]

Sergey Slonimsky's 4th symphony is a  real beast of a symphony and I cannot recommend highly enough for those who enjoy 20th century Russian/Soviet music.

[Roy Bland]

Sergei Berinski
Bon 14/4/ 1946
Dead 12/3/1998

[Roy Bland]

Slonimsky duos book + cd

[Roy Bland]

retro archive audio
https://retro-archive.ru/updates/2025