BALAKIREV

 

Grand Fantasia on Russian Folksongs Op.4

30 Songs of the Russian People

 

Joseph Banowetz, piano

Russian PO, Olga Kalugina, soprano

 

Balakirev was the leader of the group of Russian composers known as the “mighty handful” – influenced by folksong from the very start of his career.

 

His expansive Grand Fantasia on Russian Folksongs for piano and orchestra is one of his very finest compositions, written when he was 14.

 

The 30 songs of the Russian People for piano duet, folk-song arrangements from the other end of his career, show his deep understanding of the sources, which he endows with dignity and colour.

 

Each of his arrangements on this CD is preceded by the original folksong, illuminating Balakirev’s perceptive approach to this fascinating material.

 

Toccata Classics TOCC0018