Mikhail Glinka: Variations for Piano

Featuring

Vladimir Stoupel
Mikhail Glinka
Anatoly Lyadov

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Performer Biography

Vladimir Stoupel's recording of Henri Vieuxtemps' works for viola and piano received the prestigious Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (The German Record Critics' Award).

Composer's Artistic Vision

Mikhail Glinka, the primary composer on this album, is considered the 'father of Russian music' and his variation technique influenced many Russian composers, including Tchaikovsky.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Mikhail Glinka frequently incorporated Russian folk tunes into his music, once stating, 'Music is created by the people, and we, artists, simply arrange it.'

Compositional Technique

Glinka's unique 'Glinka-type variation' technique involves keeping the theme or its structure mostly unchanged while greatly varying the accompaniment.

Performer Biography

Pianist Vladimir Stoupel, the performer on this album, has performed with leading orchestras such as the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig.

Historical Context

Mikhail Glinka's travels abroad, including stays in Italy and Paris, exposed him to various musical languages and styles that significantly influenced his compositional development.

Composer Biography

Despite sporadic formal training, Mikhail Glinka's talent, ear, and memory allowed him to master several instruments and composition, with his publisher even calling his counterpoint mastery more 'learned' than Bellini or Donizetti.