Lyapunov - Variations and Fugue on a Russian Theme (Part 1/2)

Variations and Fugue on a Russian Theme Op. 49 (1912)

Sergei Lyapunov (1859-1924) belongs to the group of pre-revolutionary Balakirev disciples and conservative Russian composers. Like Medtner and Glazunov, Lyapunov rejected the new aesthetics of Scriabin, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky, preferring the models and sound world of late Romanticism. Lyapunov attended the Moscow Conservatory, studying piano with Karl Klindworth, an eminent pupil of Liszt, and composition with the renowned Taneyev. After graduation, Lyapunov became a student of Balakirev and taught at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. The 1917 October Revolution brought changes that Lyapunov would not accept and, like so many other Russian composers and musicians, he fled to France in 1923. A year later he died of a heart attack. In the late 19th-century, critics and composers praised Lyapunov as a first-rate composer of piano music comparable to Balakirev. Indeed, Lyapunov was given the fanciful appellation of "Black Balakirev" due to the severity and expressive power of his works.

Quoted from Dominik Sackmann: "The Variations on a Russian Theme Op. 49 are considered a successful synthesis of stylistic purity, virtuoso piano technique and obvious nationalism. It was perhaps inspired by similar groups of variations in Lyadov's piano works. Lyapounov's [sic] dense character variations follow in the tradition of Beethoven and Brahms. The theme in D-sharp minor is only four measures in 5/4 time long followed by 14 variations, some of which employ only motives from the theme, subjecting it to extensive transformation. The fugue is based on a motive taken from the first measure of the Russian melody. The numerous passages in thirds and sixths, the slow version of the fugue theme in the upper voice and its inversion in the bass are clear indications of Lyapounov's primary source of inspiration: the Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel Op. 24 by Johannes Brahms."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• liszt
• balakirev
• medtner
• rachmaninov

[Fallansig]

While I disagree on your crique of Chopin, the reasons why Chopin is more popular is because he's more accessible to the average person, and also, the Russian revolution pretty much kicked a lot of Russian composers in the face, and they faded into obscurity, left Russia for good, or dissapeared altogether. The worst thing to ever happen to art in Russia was the revolution.

[curzmg]

This is a marvelous composition, lends itself to the very greatest Russian melodic genius. Thank you Hexameron, I have watched many of your videos before but you just keep suprising me. xXx

[dapinzonm]

who is the performer??

[Liduniya]

Amazing job dude! Thanks for uploading!

[PablitoBodhisattva]

Thanks a lot for the upload.

Grandiose. A feeling of anticipation of something stirring, inevitably oncoming. Perfectly transcribed variations of great taste and refinement.

[krimi69]

something magic about that:).. i very like it..

[deearedub]

Unbelievable music. Hexameron, march on, you pilgrim. I'm staying with your videos.

[darkblueangel1956]

Ancora una splendida e coinvolgente opera di Lyapunov, piena di echi degli antichi temi ortodossi per coro maschile. Bellissime le variazioni con ottave e accordi con l'intervallo di quinta vuota, o con i temi per moto parallelo. L'interpretazione del pianista non è eccezionale, ma dà l'idea di fondo della composizione. Ci vorrebbero le dita di Ivo Pogorelich, Marc André Hamelin o Michel Ponti !!!

[tommyciszak]

Sublime.

[tommyciszak]

Sublime



[saschamuecke]

This theme is so pieceful