Anatoly Alexandrov (1888-1982)

[Theodore S.]

This is the second post I wanted to make, following the post dedicated to the music of Evgeny Svetlanov. This one is about the music of Anatoly Alexandrov, one of the longest-lived composers in Russian history, and in my view on of the last true romantic composers (born 1888, died 1982). The recording I want to share here is his String Quartet no. 4 in C major, Op. 80 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X2LbdsuVtTRmpVW6O2O2bJXs4S6SY7PN/view?usp=sharing), performed here by the Borodin Quartet. Until now, the only part of this piece available to be heard online was from a documentary about Alexandrov (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsTp1sPSMUg&t=1470s), beginning at 20:03.

I have no idea whether or not his other 4 string quartets have been recorded - I only recently found out that this quartet had been recorded at all, sources regarding his discography are hard to find. His numerous piano sonatas have been recorded by a number of pianists, but some other pieces, like his  opera/ballet "Levsha" (which has been recorded on vinyl), are very difficult to find.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this piece!

Best,
Theodore

[Alan Howe]

Information on the composer is to be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoly_Alexandrov_(composer)

I didn't realise that some of his piano music had been recorded:
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/c.asp?c=C9

[eschiss1]

Isn't Toccata Classics also recording his piano works? Ah yes, 2 volumes so far (edit: 5 of his piano sonatas, and other works). (And someone uploaded one of his symphonies a long while back, I think, in a generally Prokofiev-ish style I think.)

[tuatara442442]

And except for hyperion and toccata classics, feriel kaddour and viktor bunin has recorded one disc each of his piano music. Jenny Lin recorded his 4 Preludes, Op. 10 in the prelude compilation Prelude to a Revolution. A historical recording of his Canzona Difirambica for Doublebass and Piano by Rodion Azarkhin had also been released on a disc.

[tuatara442442]

I didn't realise that some of his piano music had been recorded

Clarisse Teo on Youtube had uploaded her recording of the complete Alexandrov piano sonata cycle

[Alan Howe]

Here's her cycle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwGDoMSLxbI&list=PLnEJuK0hNU7812m9B4ceyuoVoXqVTcKtk

Interesting - somewhere between Scriabin and Medtner, maybe? Alternating faster and slower passages seem to be characteristic of his idiom.

[tuatara442442]

I just found out that Clarisse Teo is recording the sonata cycle on divine art
https://divineartrecords.com/divine-art-announces-first-recording-of-the-complete-piano-sonatas-of-composer-anatoly-alexandrov/
The release date of this 4cd set is said to be in 2024 but undetermined

[Ilja]

For those who weren't aware, there's of course Alexandrov's B-flat minor Concerto Symphony for piano and orchestra in B-flat minor from 1974 (but still well within the stylistic remit of this forum):

1. Lugubre (alla marcia)
2. Andante semplice
3. Allegro energico

By the way, he's not to be confused with Alexander Alexandrov, the composer of the Soviet (and Russian) national anthem. I did, for years.

[tuatara442442]

And it really need a new complete recording, because the scherzo is omitted. I'm really fond of the simple but affecting slow intermezzo