Alyabiev Piano Trios

[Alan Howe]

...in E flat (unfinished) and A minor, coupled with Piano Trios by Rubinstein (in G minor, Op.15/2) and Glinka (Trio pathétique, arr. J. Hřímalý) - forthcoming from Naxos:
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.574112
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8829303--russian-trios-vol-1

[Alan Howe]

The A minor Piano Trio by Alyabiev (1787-1851) is a very attractive, fluent, melodious 3-movement work dating from 1834. Apparently the composer was a student of John Field (as was Glinka) and it is tempting to see his teacher's influence in the florid piano writing, e.g. in the finale. Lovely stuff indeed.

[mikehopf]

A killer trio from a killer composer!

I can also recommend the 3 CD set of his Chamber, Orchestral & Incidental music on Melodiya.

[semloh]

mikehopf - I have an mp3 of the Piano Trio in A minor played by "Dubinsky, et al". Can you tell me if that's from the Melodiya set, please?

[Alan Howe]

And could you provide a link to the Melodiya set, please?

[mikehopf]

https://melody.su/en/catalog/classic/42860/

I think that this set is a compilation of 3 discs issued on separate labels.

[mikehopf]

semloh raed ym - there are several recordings of the Piano Trio. I have this LP:

https://www.cdandlp.com/en/voskresensky-ambartsumyan-kniazev/alyabiev-piano-trio-violin-sonata-rec.1986-melodiya-c25825-mint/lp/r119010686/

There is an earlier one with Gilels.

[Christopher]

https://melody.su/en/catalog/classic/42860/

I think that this set is a compilation of 3 discs issued on separate labels.

Thank you for this.  I hadn't heard of The Village Philosopher so did a little search on youtube, which in turn turned up another work I was previously unaware of, called just "Overture" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxmbYkJ_CLA - it starts at 7m46s.  (Contrary to the notes underneath the clip, Overture comes second, and The Village Philosopher comes first.)

[semloh]

fpohekim - I have since found that my version featuring 'Dubinsky' is actually the Chandos recording with the Borodin Trio, in which Rostislav Dubinsky plays violin. It's rather good! 

[mikehopf]

Sounds good... but, unlike the composer, I wouldn't kill for a copy.

[Gareth Vaughan]

As I understand it, there was no actual proof that Alyabiev had committed murder. I have read that the trial was, in fact, an elaborate attempt to clamp down on illegal gambling (of which Alyabiev was certainly guilty - along with many others, as the practice was widespread, especially among the nobility.)

[eschiss1]

"fpohekim" - gesundheit? (oh ok, 1ssihcse gets it now, even if I do sound even more like an unprintable curse word.)
The idea of Alyabiev killing for a copy of one of his own piano trios (presumably the complete one, but maybe not) just sets the storytelling wheels in motion, doesn't it?

[mikehopf]

Well, the old Colonel died from a ruptured spleen probably caused by the body blows administered by Alyabiev and his two mates.

Manslaughter or murder? He was still a killer!

[Alan Howe]

And with that, back to the music, please.

[mikehopf]

Better not talk about Kotzwara then... though his Sonata "The Battle of Prague" is pretty good.