Alexander Krein, the compiler, followed an ingenious plan for this cycle, arranging pieces by year of composition, key, genre, and character to create an easily comprehensible large-scale form.
Album & Artwork
This album, titled 'The Soul of Russia', features a cycle of 25 masterpieces by various Russian composers, selected and transcribed by Alexander Krein.
Historical Context
In a time before YouTube and streaming, anthologies and transcriptions allowed music lovers to re-experience works they enjoyed in concerts and opera, fostering domestic music-making.
Composition History
The anthology was 'composed' in 1912 by Russian Jewish composer Alexander Krein, who was commissioned by the publisher P. Jurgenson to create a representative cross-section of the Golden Age of Russian music.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, Germany, on February 29 and March 01, 2020.
Performer Biography
The Piano Trio Then-Bergh - Yang - Schäfer has been performing for ten years, driven by a fascination for the piano trio combination and a joy in exploring its repertoire.
Compositional Technique
The cycle's structure includes an introduction, a main section dedicated to Pyotr Tchaikovsky, a section for his 'epigones' (followers), and a final section showcasing innovators like Sabaneev, Scriabin, and Stravinsky.
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