As Balakirev seems to be a much forgotton composer on the forums i've decided to start an appreciation thread for Balakirev's music, below i have listed some website for you to 'get to know' Balakirev a bit better

Recordings
Sheet music
IMSLP sheet music
Pianostreet topic

Zac

Hi,

I listened to one of Balakirev's pieces this morning, called the Fisherman's Song. It's very sweet and melodic. Will have a look at the composer's other music. Thanks!

Euan.

It's certainly worth to listen to Balakirev's works. He was Russian, and beautiful melodies and harmonies were inscribed in his soul.

He is somewhat difficult to contemplate in some pieces though. I have had listened to Islamey thousands of times until I have found my great appreciation towards it. I thought it wasn't good at all at first.


M.

i don't really like islamey that much, i prefer pieces such as the lark, toccata and nocturnes

Zac

FWIW, Balakirev was an editor as well as a composer.

He edited Chopin's Sonata Op. 65 (published by Peters) and the Trio Op. 8 (published by Kalmus).

I certainly appreciate his efforts on behalf of Chopin's underrated and underexposed chamber music!

Steven

Just last week I noticed that I had the 6 CD Brilliant Classics set of the complete Mily Balakirev Piano Solo Works.

I listened to them with great expectations, since I absolutely love forgotten composers and unknown compositions.

Maybe my feelings will change after I listen several more times, but I thought his compositions were fairly uninteresting and completely unmemorable.

That is, except for Islamey, which I love.

I think the works of Felix Blumenfeld, Vasily Kalinnikov, and Sergei Bortkiewicz are infinitely more enjoyable that Balakirev's.


Mel

bump