Samuil Feinberg

[Alan Howe]

I was wondering whether anyone had any thoughts on the Russian pianist-composer Samuil Feinberg (1890-1962). I have found excerpts from the CDs of his piano sonatas on BIS, but am intrigued by the recording of his 1st Piano Concerto on Altarus. Does anyone know it?

[jerfilm]

His Piano Sonatas 2,5,6,11 and 12 were on Melodiya Lps many years ago.  I haven't listened to them for about the same length of time.

Jerry

[Latvian]

His Piano Sonata #11, from the Melodiya LP Jerry mentions, is one of my favorite pieces of piano music. It's a strangely moving, bittersweet, somewhat aloof, beautiful work.

I find the Concerti less interesting, but I have to admit I haven't listened to them in depth yet.

[isokani]

I know the 1st Conc quite well. Worth getting the disc. Not as traditional as the later two: it's a single movement, at times challenging piece, and really very hard for the pianist who does an excellent job.

I've played sonatas nos.1, 2, 6, 7 and quite a few smaller pieces. I will try to find my nos.2 + 7 from a concert last year in the Moscow Conservatory, for a festival for the 125th anniv. of SF's birth. Yes, it was scary playing there since several of his pupils were in the audience (Merzhanov, Bunin, Ignatieva etc).

[Alan Howe]

Thank you for your comments - very helpful! What would you say about particular sonatas?

[isokani]

Well, in terms of language they become more modernist towards nos.4-7, then less so. However, the writing becomes increasingly more subtle (even if there is a less complex surface) as time goes on: no.1 was written ca.1914, no.12 1960.
My favourites are: 2, 6, 7, 9, 12.  1 and 8 are also good.

[Alan Howe]

Thanks very much for your expert guidance!