Search - Anatol Lyadov, Stephen Coombs :: Anatol Liadov: Marionettes; A Musical Snuffbox; & other piano music

Small, finely-cut, Russian jewels

Evan Wilson | Cambridge, MA | 07/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In recent years, Hyperion has been giving us some wonderful discs of piano music by lesser known Russian composers--including Arensky, Bortkeiwicz, and Catoire. Here we have another by that most lethargic of composers, Anatole Liadov.The program notes to this recording observe that Liadov was considered a major talent by some of the luminaries of late 19th century Russian romanticism. Unfortunately, he was a habitually lazy when it came to composing. As a result, most of the music he finished--and there were many projects he didn't--was in the form of small suites and character pieces. We get a fine selection of them on this disc which amply demonstrates Liadov's talents. While all the music on this disc is melodic and has great charm, there is a certain added richness which suggests what a major composer Liadov could have been had he applied himself. If one compares this disc with the Hyperion Arensky recital, it becomes apparent that Liadov had a certain spark that Arensky did not. While the Arensky disc has much charming music, in the end it has no distinctive stamp. Listen to the Prelude Op. 11 of Liadov or the Barcarolle Op. 44, and you see what the Arensky is lacking--personality. Moreover, the 4 pieces, Op. 64 demonstrate that Liadov was no musical conservative as they echo the bizarre harmonies of his student Scriabin!!The two largest pieces on this disc are variations on a Polish folk song and a theme by Glinka. Each would be a welcome addition to a recital as they gracefully display the merits of the original material. Be aware that none of the music on this disc will shake the world or bring you to tears. Instead, it will give you a nostalgic feeling for pre-Revolutionary Russia. Coombs plays them with affection and the sound is up to Hyperion's high standards. Enjoy!"

Undiscovered piano gems

caspi | Israel | 11/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lyadov's musical output is much more modest in quantity and a form scale comparing to Russian prominent composers of the same period, like Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov etc. Unfortunately, his works are also not really well-known and thus almost never played in recitals abroad Russia and are seldomly recorded.This CD presents it in the best possible way. The set is enclosed between the two only relatively large-scale pieces written by the composer, both in variations form. In the middle there are several opuses of small pieces in different genres which comprise the most of Liadov music for piano. Here we have preludes, mazurkaz, waltzes, etc. , featuring the most popular of those. And of course, one can't say he knows Liadov's works without "A Musical Snuffbox", which is really a masterpiece. One more important thing to mention, is that the set chronologically covers almost the whole period of Liadov's musical activity, starting with the early op.11 with it's magnificent Prelude h-moll and ending with Four Pieces op. 64 which show us some different Liadov, starting his way towars the forms and harmonies of his pupil, a well-known innovator, Scriabin.To give a brief overview of Liadov's style I'll define it as Russian post-romantic, influenced mostly by Chopin adding to it beautiful, touching and full of soul russian melodical lines. The most original pieces like "A Musical Snuffbox" and "Marionettes" take us into a magical and fascinating inner world of a child, which was very close to Liadov himself.All this music is far away from being appealing to the big masses of the concert halls. It is very intimate and does not bear any drama and virtouso effects in it. But each piece, no matter how tiny it is, as it took a great deal of time for Liadov to compose and refine, sounds eventually like a small shining and beautiful jewel of a perfect form.I've never heard Stephen Coombs before this disc and I had a lot of pleasure to discover this wonderful pianist. His playing here is flawless in every aspect, with great taste and full understanding of the musical world he presents. Here Liadov music is in the perfect hands."

This is the one to purchase

John Gouwens | Culver, IN USA | 08/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very attractive recording (musically) of some unjustly overlooked music. Lyadov's music doesn't usually stand out as having a unique "flavor" setting it apart from the work of other late romantic composers, though some of his music is intended to represent stories from Russian folklore.



My reason for seeking this recording was to obtain a piano recording of a piece I was actually transcribing for performance on the carillon (Berceuse), and this piece is rarely recorded. I listened with great enjoyment to the other selections. Some are more interesting than others, with the Barcarolle being a particularly interesting and lovely selection. (I ordered the music for that, and may transcribe that as well.) From my admittedly superficial listening, I didn't do so well listening with sustained interest to the two longer works on the recording, but that is no criticism of the recording itself. I would recommend it with confidence and enthusiasm.



The recorded sound, and the playing, are very fine indeed!"