Alfor's Rarities

[alfor]

Hi Alfor,

I would ask if you have some of these scores of D.M. Melkikh
-Op.5 Five Preludes
-Op.9 Chorale & Fugue
-Op.9a Paroles Danses - Three pieces
-Op.14 Mimic Scene
-Op.20 Gems - Suite of five pieces
-Op.21 Piano Sonata n.4

I have only the sonata n.1,2,3

Many thanks.
Duirton

Not easy to locate! You should ask our russian/soviet specialists Malcom (Peter) and isokani - not to forget our "universalist" Oren. Maybe they can help.

[alfor]

...Yelzin?...Becker?...

Boris A. TCHAIKOVSKY
Sonata No. 1

Tchaikovsky, B. Sonata No.1.pdf

[alfor]

and one more from the archives of the RSL:

Georgy L. CATOIRE
Quatre Preludes op. 17 (fine scan!)

Catoire 4 Preludes op.17.pdf

[alfor]

RSL scan:

Michail M. IPPOLITOW-IWANOW
Esquisses Caucasiennes op. 10
Suite pour orchestre arr. piano solo

Ippolitow-Iwanow Esquisses Caucasiennes op.10.pdf

[alfor]

RSL scan:

Cesar FRANCK
Pastorale op. 19 arr. piano solo by Harold Bauer

Franck Pastorale op.19.pdf

[alfor]

a fine RLS scan of:

Arnold MENDELSSOHN
Sonate op. 66

Mendelssohn, A., Sonate op.66.pdf

I previously posted his "Moderne Suite op. 79"

May I kindly ask for an evaluation of this finely crafted though slightly old-fashioned work by Frank (Prof. H.)?

[alfor]

RLS scan:

Hans Guido von BÜLOW
Cadenzen zum vierten Klavierkonzert G dur von Ludwig van Beethoven

Bülow Cadenzas Beeth. op. 58.pdf

[alfor]

RLS scan:

Theodore AKIMENKO
URANIE. La muse du ciel
Esquisses fantastiques op. 25

Akimenko Uranie op.25.pdf

[fhimpsl]

Dear Alfred,

You have the most uncanny ability to unearth treasures of romantic piano literature!!! I made a quick pass through the RSL site but missed everything you have found and posted. So much of their archives is blocked of course, and I found it very frustrating. But your keen eye will always spot those "diamonds in the rough."

I love everything about the Arnold Mendelssohn Sonata. In playing through it I am reminded very much of Moszkowski's writing in terms of the pianistic style. So many parts of the Sonata just "feel" like Moszkowski to me when physically playing the work. Maybe had Moszkowski written a Sonata it would have turned out something like this...but it would have to have been on a very good day; indeed a VERY good day! Mendelssohn has a very approachable style and melodic flair, and that is probably what reminds me so much of dear Moritz. But many parts of this Sonata show a much greater degree of sophistication in harmonic development. As always...imho.

Old fashioned? Well probably so in many ways, but then so am I..an incurable romantic!! Taken in the context of the romantic piano literature, I think this work shines with brilliance. It definitely points us in the direction of the later romantic German writers.

Now admittedly I've been playing a lot of MM, Schutt and (of course) Hugo Kaun recently so maybe my judgement is slanted. But this is a great work, imho. The rich, flowing romantic melody in the first movement has irresistible charm, and immediately wins the listener over. Then the second movement generates a wonderful air of serenity. The third mvt. is a delightful romp, a bit out of character with the first 2 movements, but with such happiness and SO much fun to play! The fourth mvt. is for me the most difficult to play, but it is probably the most intellectually stimulating. The polyphony Mendelssohn incorporates is absolutely beautiful, and it will take much practice to bring out the inner voicings properly. Such beautiful melodies!!

I remember your posting of Mendelssohn's Op. 79 "Moderne Suite", and I pulled the score for reference. Once again in playing this work I am reminded very much of Moszkowski's approach to the keyboard. The Vorspiel as an example. Voicing the melody with the thumbs of both hands is a very characteristic (and effective!) "trick" that MM used frequently. Moszkowski was such a genius at getting the most from the piano with a minimal expenditure of effort!!!

And so dear Alfred for what it's worth these are my initial observations and feelings about the Mendelssohn Sonata. I know it will inspire me to search out more works from this composer. As always, ausgezeichnet!! Noch ein anderes wunderbare Deutsche komponist haben sie gefunden. Als immer, das macht mir VIEL, viel spass! Vielen dank, und als immer

Alles Gute,

Dein

Frank (a.k.a. "Dr. H.")

[alfor]

Dear Frank,

thank you very, very much for your excellent detailed comment on the A. Mendelssohn Sonata! As far as I know it may be called M.'s best piano work (an "old-fashioned" work only if we consider the time of its composition).
This said I have a slight problem posting more piano works of M.: I played his "Federzeichnungen" op. 20. Well-written but imho too lightweight, compared with the sonata. So I am very doubtful whether to post them. Same holds true for Gernsheim. I very much appreciate a recording of his Piano Quartets op. 6 & op. 47, but are really disappointed with his Cello Sonata op. 12. - So should we select only the best works of a composer or should we (as a musicologist would do??) post every work we can get hold of?

Once again thank you for your really valuable contributions (in word AND score).

All best as always

Alfred