Search - Paul Pabst, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Scriabin :: Rimsky-Korsakov, Pabst, Scriabin: Piano Concertos

Three Russian Concerto Gems

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 03/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pavel Pabst is most familiar from his paraphrases of music by other composers, such as Sleeping Beauty. He was a formidable composer in his own right and taught such renown composers as Percy Grainger, Nicolai Medtner and Sergei Lyapunov. He performed with Rachmaninov on many occasions and helped Tchaikovsky completed his First Piano Concerto. Pabst's Piano Concerto was premiered in 1882 and was published after his death but vanished from the repertory until it was revived in 2003.



It has been suggested that Pabst's piano concerto was written to mark the coronation of Tsar Alexander III and it has a dramatic quality with a sparkling piano part that make it idea as a virtuoso work. One can detect many influences in the concerto, particularly the melodies of Chopin and percussive effects of Liszt but this is an individual voice. It begins with a rousing orchestral introduction, then the soloist enters with a dazzling passage and we are off exploring the orchestral opening melody. The orchestral and soloist continue with a glittering dialogue as the music continues its heroic tone with a long reflective section for soloist and orchestra that leads into a long cadenza for the soloist that become more exhilarating as it goes on. The movement finishes on the heroic high note of the opening melody. The middle movement is a charming, lyrical meditation and is followed by a rondo finale with some brilliant and demanding writing for the soloist.



The one-movement Piano Concerto of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov is not a profound work but is filled with delightful melodies. It was composed during 1882 - 83 and the composer had some anxieties over the piano part. The music is based on a single theme, provided by Balakirev, and undergoes continual development. It is a lively work that is well orchestrated and memorable.



The Piano Concerto of Alexander Scriabin was written (in 1896) for himself to perform early in his career. It touched a nerve with Rimsky-Korsakov who abused the concerto labeling it as "filth." The concerto shows the influence of Chopin as does the early piano sonatas. At its premiere the concerto was lauded for its orchestration and the concerto reflects the fact that its composition came at a time when Scriabin was about to be married and when he was expecting his first child. The concerto has a dreamy good humored atmosphere that may lack the heroic boldness of Pabst but has such memorable melodies.



The recording was made by engineers from DG and it shows. The balance is superb and could not be clearer. The performance by Oleg Marshev is amazing and he is ably supported by the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra under Vladimir Ziva.

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