Balakirev: Complete Piano Works, Vol. 1

Featuring

Nicholas Walker
Mily Balakirev

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Performer Biography

Nicholas Walker, the pianist on this album, is known for championing the neglected works of Mili Alekseyevich Balakirev and organized the Balakirev Centenary concerts in London.

Composition History

The Sonata in B flat minor of 1905, featured on this album, encapsulates Balakirev's earlier sonata efforts, having begun life as the Grande Sonate, Op. 3 in 1855.

Recording & Production

This recording of the Sonata, Op. 5 is the first to be made from the original manuscript, correcting mistakes found in previously published scores.

Recording & Production

This album includes the world premiere recording of Balakirev's Grande Sonate, Op. 3 (1855).

Composer Biography

Mili Balakirev, the composer, was a brilliant pianist, improviser, and conductor, yet he is surprisingly little known today.

Composer Biography

Balakirev was the leader of 'the Mighty Handful', a group of Russian composers including Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, Borodin, and Cui, and influenced many other famous composers.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Balakirev aimed to create a 'quintessentially Russian sonata' that would express the entire history of Russia, including its peoples, landscape, and culture.