Pianophilia

Especially for Jonathan.....and one of my favourite of all Russian composers, Leonid Nikolayev (1878-1942). I have posted several scores by Nikloayev to date [Op 7 Barcarolle, Op 13 Suite, Op 14 Variations and Op 15 Sonata - available in the Archive section], and Alfor has posted the Gavotte and wonderful Op 11 Violin Sonata. Here are two rarities - the scintillating Op 19 Tarantelle and stately Fugue in Db major.

Malcolm

Op 19 Tarantelle Fugue in Db major

Malc, I really like Nikolayev's Tarantelle--it's a real showpiece and sounds really well. Time for me to play thru his music again of this wonderful composer.

Thank you Malcolm! I've been waiting for the return of the Soviets so much

Thanky seconded! Looks like a very nice Tarantella! Btw I do not know, why Tarantellas are in many cases rather weak works - Chopin, Heller, etc..

alfor wrote:Thanks seconded! Looks like a very nice Tarantella! Btw I do not know, why Tarantellas are in many cases rather weak works - Chopin, Heller, etc..

Alfor, you bring up an interesting point! I really didn't know of any really good Tarantellas until this one appeared. It seems to be a dance form that few composers have seen fit to address properly.

alfor wrote:Thanks seconded! Looks like a very nice Tarantella! Btw I do not know, why Tarantellas are in many cases rather weak works - Chopin, Heller, etc..

fleubis wrote:Alfor, you bring up an interesting point! I really didn't know of any really good Tarantellas until this one appeared.

What about:-

Balakirev Tarantella in B major (1901).
Liszt Soirees Musicales (Rossini-Liszt) S.424: La Danza (Tarantella Napolitana).
Liszt Tarantella, S.162 No.3 (from Venezia e Napoli).
Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 (Italian) Op.90, last movement.
Rachmaninov Suite No.2 for 2 Pianos Op.17, last movement.
Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No.2 Op.22, last movement.
Schubert Piano Sonata in C minor D958, last movement.
Etc., etc.

All these works seem very strong and really good to me!
(Sometimes I think we get so focussed here on obscure music that we forget
the famous stuff.)

If tarantellas are generally regarded as weak, can't a similar argument be made
for various other forms of dance music also?

Seconded ! Regarding Chopin's op.43, may be it's a work less important than other more famous Chopin masterworks, but it's a masterwork when compared to other composers' tarantellas !! Listen to Cortot's recording !

Timtin wrote:...
Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 (Italian) Op.90, last movement.
...

No it's a Saltarello: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltarello

Timtin wrote:What about:-

Weber, Sonata #4 Op.70, last movement
Gottschalk, Grande Tarantella
Rossini, La Danza...

Regards
Fred

I may have unwittingly muddied the waters of my original argument by citing
the finale of Mendelssohn's 4th. Symphony as a Tarantella, when in fact it's
a Saltarello in tarantella form. (If we're splitting hairs, then the finale of Schubert's
C minor Piano Sonata might also be more accurately described as a Rondo in
tarantella form.) Apologies for the confusion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantella