Presents
Boris Lyatoshinsky
Piano Trio No.1, Op.7
Boris Lyatoshinsky (1895-1968), was born in the Ukrainian town of Zhytomir then part of the Russian Empire. After studying piano and violin locally, he moved to Kyiv (Kiev) and enrolled in the law school of Kiev University as well as simultaneously entering the Kiev Conservatory, studying composition with Reinhold Gliére. After graduating from the Conservatory, he obtained a teaching position there and subsequently became a professor both there and at the Moscow Conservatory. Besides composing, he was an active and sought after conductor. He is generally considered the father of contemporary Ukrainian music. He wrote in all genres and did not ignore chamber music, which includes five string quartets, a piano quartet, a piano quintet, two piano trios and instrumental several sonatas. His earliest compositions were romantic and lyrical in style, influenced mostly by Schumann and Borodin. Later, the impressionist music of Scriabin attracted him. However, under Stalinism, he returned to using folkloric themes, especially those of Ukraine.
His Piano Trio No.1 was the product of three years work which he completed in 1925. It is in three movements and dedicated to his wife. The opening Allegro non troppo, begins with a very romantic theme in the strings played over a sparkling, raindrop like accompaniment in the piano. One hears echoes of Tchaikovsky in a somewhat updated vein. The second movement is marked Lento con freddezza. One wonders how hard Lyatoshinsky had to search to find the rarely used word freddezza which means indifference or coldness. He must have had access to an Italian dictionary as it is unlikey that he was an Italian speaker. Anyway, the music begins with the piano playing in a rather depressed mood a la Scriabin. When the strings enter, the music continues in a melancholy vein. Perhaps Lyatoshinky chose freddezza to describe a lack of passion, which is not to be found in the movement. However, the music eventually morphs into a kind of nervous scherzo, not particularly happy, but certainly interesting. The finale is entitled Allegro fermamente, another word rarely come upon, meaning firmly or steadily. Again, he must have perused that Italian dictionary, for he could just as easily have written something like Resoluto e agitato. The music is that, resolute and agitated and filled with powerful energy.
Without doubt a work worthy of concert performance. As for amateurs, it is only within the reach of those with considerable ensemble experience and of a high technical standard. The string parts in the original edition were virtually impossible to perform because of the page turns. We have remedied this creating an edition which can be performed without difficulty.
Parts $29.95
