Does Albeniz count as a lesser known composer? I'm not too sure, but he wrote some great music.

I just read all posts and I don't think I read any reference to JOSEPH SUK (late 1800's early 19oo's)- son-in-law of Anton Dvorak. He is one of my favorites. Simrock has published his piano lliterature in three in three volumes. Radislav Kvapil is an enthusiastic performer of Suk's works. They are very romantic and have that distinctive Eastern European Bohemian sound.

I think I have read that there is a contemporary Joseph Suk (grandson of the above who is, I believe, a violinist currently performing in the classical music world. Perhaps another reader can verify this.

Bachsky

+1

Here's a topic I recently started about Joseph Suk:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthrea...tml#Post1645915

Waltz #2 by Auguste Durand -- not as well-known perhaps as his Waltz #1 -- is my "go to" piece when I need cheering up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_zxYTtVHgk

Paul de Senneville has some nice pieces, they are easy-medium in difficulty but sound nice.

"Respighi - Notturno" is a beautiful intermediate piece!

Pretty much all of Henselt's works are very underrated. The Larghetto of his Piano Concerto in F minor is just so haunting and beautiful:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVmtJDoWE-8

I'd reccomend Henselt's work to any Chopin/Liszt obsessed people like myself. I have a collection of his works and play through quite regularly. His Op.2 Etude's are also very wonderful, I think somebody posted the Eb major Etude which is just stunning!

How about Busoni? His Bach transcriptions (and the Piano Concerto) are quite popular, but he also wrote some very interesting original works, notably the Elegies and the Sonatinas.

Here's an example, the Berceuse:

Drunk3nFist says he's looking for Romantic pieces.

How about "Prelude, Chorale and Fugue," Cesar Franck.

I'd also second someone's suggestion, DameMyra, I think, of Sonata 1905, and "In the Mist" by Leos Janacek.

Tomasino

Here is the 4th Movement of Sigismond Thalberg's Grande Sonate Op.56 in c minor played by Adrian Ruiz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50RmaEinIJA&feature=channel_video_title

Score

The 4th movement starts on p.32.

What a wonderful Sonata, brilliantly played with passion and fury by Ruiz!

First Movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39yeZSKaBBA&feature=BF&list=PLFE5107B02B952FCB&index=28

Second Movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOinLEW3VMw&playnext=1&list=PLFE5107B02B952FCB

Third Movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYwULbxGxcs&feature=BF&list=PLFE5107B02B952FCB&index=30


Mel

I am a big Thalberg fan myself, but most of my enjoyment comes from the transcriptions as opposed to the original works.

As far as sonatas go, the Paderewski and Balakirev have always struck me as something special and my recent encounters with sonatas by Pinto, Potter, Nicolai & Dussek have also yielded some pleasing results, even under my fingers.

The list of lesser known composers is far greater than that of well known composers, so who knows what will be found in the future.

Thal

My local Borders Books is closing but I picked up a book of Clementi Sonatas for $7.50! Played through a little this weekend...nice music, pretty accessible. Of course, Clementi is not obscure, but may be overlooked somewhat. I think I read somewhere that he was a favorite of Beethoven, and Horowitz like to play him as well.

SERGEI BORTKIEWICZ and MANUEL PONCE

you won't be disappointed

Interesting that you mention the Balakirev. The April Gramophone gave a very favourable review to Danny Driver's new recording of Balakirev piano works on Hyperion. Have you heard it by any chance? (I've only heard Earl Wild's recording of the sonata, and that was some time ago.)

It's worth quoting a bit from Jeremy Nicholas' review (I think him a very reliable critic):

With the exception of Mussorgsky's 'Pictures', [the Balakirev sonata] is the only large-scale solo piano work produced by 'The Mighty Handful' and possibly the only piano sonata that opens with a strict fugue (which then alternates with a free rhapsody).

I think it must be the Wild recording I have old chap, but now that you mention a new one, I guess I had better give the old credit card a bashing.

Thal

I'm not sure up to what extent he's still considered lesser known, especially since a movie has been made on his life, but Andre Mathieu's music is incredible.

You might want to review some of Alexandr Glazunov's piano music -- specifically, his Theme and Variations, two Intermezzi, and Idyllia. All of these are beautifully written for the piano, and are late-romantic in character. Also, some of Nikolai Medtner's Skazki are possible. Finally, some of the early Alexandr Scriabin efforts are late-romantic and not really played that often.

Some Moszkowski études de virtuosité (Op. 72) are real gems! In particular no. 2 (bit revolutionary like), 6, 11 & 13.
Horowitz made his étincelles famous, see here why:



Medtner's Fairy Tales can not be seconded enough. They are often more challenging than first appears musically and technically, but the reward when mastering them is invaluable.

Szymanowski's preludes are also highly romantic, and some of them of intermediate difficulty. Check them out!

N. Vaneyev wrote the most stupendous transcription of Fritz Kreisler's "Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Pugnani".

Here's Cyprien Katsaris's equally stupendous performance, from his "Piano Rarities Vol.1 - Transcriptions" CD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IPvbwT0UUk

http://www.cyprienkatsaris.net/en/piano-21/new-releases/147-piano-rarities-vol-1-transcriptions.html


Mel

if all, well, most of the above mentioned composers are to be categorized as less known, I think all, well, most of the contibuants have a knowlegde-problem, jeez, astonishing, this.

No, I think that most of the composers referenced ARE, in fact, regarded as "minor", or "lesser known" -- though, that, of course, is an absolute crime, when you consider all the truly wonderful contributions that these people have made to the piano literature -- which is truly endless in its treasures!

A couple of questions: what does "sfogato" mean, or imply? I noticed that specific directive in the Chopin Barcarolle -- did you derive your "handle" from that"

If these composers are NOT lesser-known, whom do you regard as more truly unknown, that have provided "great" pieces (i.e., pieces that are compelling, but nobody's heard at all)?

sfogato (Italian, literally 'exhaled') light and easy style, particularly of singing or singers

Another vote for Lyapunov. It is a pity his works do not get played at concerts nowadays. Pieces I have listened to recently: his Transcendental Etudes (Terek, The Storm, etc..), Variations on a Russian Theme and a beautiful Piano Sonata.

Same with Alexander Glazunov



Glazunov also wrote beautiful Etudes, as did Felix Blumenfeld, here played by the amazing Simon Barere

A second (or a third) to Lyapounov -- I have his "Svyatki", a set of four pieces with a Christmas theme, and they are absolutely delightful.

You have the balls to say what I was thinking.

Thal

+1

Lesser known just means what it says - it doesn't mean "unknown". Obviously, they aren't lesser known to the people who do know them and posted about them in this thread.

I think the implication is "less often performed", though some of you folks are more knowledgeable than others. But it is undeniable that many of the composers listed in this thread are rarely played in public.

I think the "knowledge problem" discussion is condescending. I 100% agree that it is unfortunate that some of these composers are "unknown", "lesser known", or "never performed", but you're implying it's the fault of the listener... Argerich, Perahia, Kissin et al. are a huge part of the problem. YT and Naxos aside, how can one just magically become aware of such composers? Thanks to the OP for being interested enough to ask the question. I am certain many (including myself) have been very appreciative and enlightened by the suggestions.

Step down from your pedestals.

-Daniel