Eiges - Violin Sonata; II

Second movement from the Violin Sonata (1963)

Yu Kovaleva, piano
A. Mintz, violin

Oleg Eiges (1905-1992) was a peripheral Soviet composer who did not enjoy much of an international reputation, but was highly respected by Russia's musical elite, namely Feinberg and Roslavets, who praised his pianism and compositions. Oleg was the son of Konstantin Eiges, the teacher of Stanchinsky, and studied under Anatoly Alexandrov at the Moscow Conservatory. He later befriended Shostakovich and even studied under the renowned Busoni pupil, Egon Petri, in Berlin between 1928 and 1929. Eiges was one of the many Soviet composers denounced for writing "formalist" music and was specifically targeted in the Central Committee's Resolution of 1948.

Little is known about Eiges' compositional trajectory and how his style evolved, but he wrote twenty symphonies, five concerti, chamber music, an opera, and twelve piano sonatas. In his early works, Eiges' aesthetics owe much to Scriabin. It was his Scriabinesque First Piano Sonata (1926) that spurred Roslavets into writing an enthusiastic review. Although Eiges' style would have changed since the 1930s, many of his works are heavily influenced by Scriabin, Medtner, and Prokofiev.

*Special thanks to nikkapfan who recommended I look into this composer's work, and for providing this recording and the score.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• oleg
• eiges
• medtner
• shostakovich

[MrLindenson]

I'm obsessed with this piece!

[Reaper978]

Nothing like the uplifting sound of Father Death and Mother Grief playing their music... :P

[MagicDonDino]

the final part from 3:25 is

incredibly chilling!!!

THANKS!!!!!