Etsuko Hirosé - Balakirev: Piano Sonata in B-Flat Minor, Islamey & other works (2012) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. A life for the Tsar
02. Au jardin Etude-idylle in D flat Major
03. Toccata
04. Piano sonata in B flat Minor: Andantino
05. Piano sonata in B flat Minor: Mazurka
06. Piano sonata in B flat Minor: Intermezzo
07. Piano sonat a in B flat Minor: Finale
08. The Lark
09. Islamey



Mily Balakirev (1837-1910), founder and driving force of the celebrated 'Mighty Handful', spared no effort in his devotion to his followers, and thus left only a relatively modest number of works.

The piano occupies a preponderant place in his output, with the Russian style rubbing shoulders with with influences of Chopin and Liszt. While 'Islamey' has always figured in the virtuoso repertoire, other pieces deserve to be rediscovered, including the Toccata, the Sonata and the Variations on themes by Glinka, the 'Father of Russian music', who saw in Balakirev a worthy successor.

“Delectable playing of Balakirev's Piano Sonata and his Liszt-like paraphrase of Life for the Tsar, though the notoriously virtuosic Islamey sounds efficient rather than exhilarating.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“Hirose 'winds down' with Islamey...it does make relentless, incredible demands on the performer. Hirose is equal to them, even if she does downplay somewhat the 'Oriental Fantasy' aspect. On the other hand, her saccharine-free andante espressivo is preferable to the syrup served up by some.” (MusicWeb International)

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [Hi-Res]