Search - Anton Bagatov :: Rails: Russian avant-garde piano music of the early 20th C

MOSOLOV SONATA 2

Thomas H. Andrews | Duxbury MA USA | 09/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are three CDs which contain Mosolov's Sonata 2. So it's worth investigating, right?



The other two CDs having Mosolov's 2nd are played by Yuri Lisichenko and Herbert Henck. I have heard all three, and would select this Bagatov CD first, Lisichenko second, Henck third. However, if you are a fan of this sonata, as I am, you will ultimately want all three CDs. Each has it's own take on this piece. They reinforce each other.



The Mosolov Second Sonata is vaguely like Prokofiev's Sixth -- insofar as war and conflict are concerned. There are sounds of gunfire and cannonfire interspersed with church bells. If you like the Prok Sixth, I think you will grow to like the Mosolov Second. It's tough and brutal, though. The Mosolov is leaner than the Prok Sixth and a movement shorter. Mosolov's structure is beautiful in a perverse way -- very tightly written, concise, with an economy of means. Unlike the Prok Sixth, Mosolov's episodes of relief are more scant (not entirely lacking) for the listener; however, there doesn't need to be as much relief, since the Mosolov is shorter in duration.

Perhaps this CD is too pricey to buy for one piece. The rest of the CD is good, though mostly available elsewhere.



Unsure? For half the price of this Batagov CD, perhaps first buy the Henck or Lisichenko CD, then see if you want to splurge and upgrade to this Batagov CD. I don't think you'll be disappointed."