Presents
Boris Lyatoshinsky
Piano Trio No.2, Op.41
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.2 was composed in 1942. It is in four movements. It begins with a powerful Maestoso exuding dynamism and dynamically loud from start until the final bars which surprisingly end softly pizzicato. The second movement, Andante sostenuto, Lyatoshinsky subtitled Ballade. The piano alone brings forth a sad, mournful melody before the strings enter changing the mood to a kind of eerie feeling which is followed by a lengthy, dramatic episode which dies away with ominous chords low in the piano's reglister. Next comes an Intermezzo, Allegretto pastoral, quasi allegro. It is a wayward, mysterious dance. The finale is longer than the first three movements put together. It is marked Theme and Variations. The Piano presents entire theme by itself. This is followed by 11 magnificent, contrasting variations and a coda.
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.
Parts $29.95
