Alexander Grechaninov, whose imperial pension for liturgical music was annulled after the Revolution, eventually moved to America in 1939 and became a US citizen in 1946.
Historical Context
The album features works by four Russian composers who left Russia after the 1917 Revolutions, with the program focusing on pieces composed during the final years of Imperial Russia.
Composition History
Igor Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petruchka are not mere transcriptions of his 1911 ballet but a re-imagining of the music for piano, made at the request of pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
Composer Biography
Sergey Prokofiev, known as an 'enfant terrible,' left Russia in 1918, spent years in the United States and Europe, and eventually settled back in his homeland in the 1930s.
Composer Biography
Nikolay Medtner, a close friend of Rachmaninov, settled in London in 1935 and completed his last work, the C major Piano Quintet, there.
Composer Biography
Sergey Rachmaninov and his family left Russia just before Christmas 1917 for concerts in Stockholm and never returned, eventually settling in America after living between America and Europe.
Recording & Production
Nikolay Medtner, with financial support from the Maharajah of Mysore, recorded all his own piano concertos and other works, leaving a valuable legacy of his playing.
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