"I am a composer in search of oblivion and
I am always slightly ashamed that I compose."
—Alexander Porfiryevich Bordoin
ALEXANDER P. BORODIN
Complete Piano Music
(includes world premiere recordings)
Marco Rapetti, piano (Yamaha CF 3 SA concert grand)
-in duo/trio with Daniela de Santis, piano
-in duo/trio with Giampaolo Nuti, piano
Brilliant Classics 93894, 79:12, DDD
Right off the bat I have to tell you that this was a totally entertaining and revealing recording to hear ... piano music by Borodin! Lovely music and music-making, and exceptionally fine and natural piano sound . The disc contains all the original piano music composed by Borodin plus any work of others he was involved in by transcription - and there's much of that, particularly in the 16 Paraphrases, which will absolutely hit your funny bone! I am not acquainted with any of the pianists appearing on this disc, but it is obviously they are having one heck of a good time playing—and conveying—this rarely heard music to their listeners.
Here is what we have:
• Petite Suite
• Paraphrases (16) after Liszt, Borodin, Lyadov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Cui, in solo, duo, or trio performances
• Tarantella in D
• Allegretto in D-flat
• Scherzo in E
• In the Steppes of Central Asia (transcription for piano 4-hands)
• Adagio patetico in A-flat
• Polka Hélène in D Minor
• Ravel: À la manière de Borodine
Brilliant Classics is not only a first-class budget label but they are becoming very innovative with some of their releases. I'm delighted. You will be, too! ♪
Too bad it isn't your friend Horowitz playing the piano. I understand all these Borodin pieces for piano were transcribed for orchestra and recorded by Arthur Fiedler/BPO. I apparently have the only extant copy, but I shan't share it with you! 