Kabalevsky: Piano Sonata No.3, 24 Preludes

Pietro Bonfilio

Released on 26/05/2017 by Brilliant Classics
Main artists: Pietro Bonfilio
Genre: Classical

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With the collapse of communism and ultimately the end of the USSR, many of the foremost exponents of Soviet history, including musicians, were instinctively relegated to the realms of oblivion. Today in Russia the name of Dmitry Borisovich Kabalevsky (1904-1987) is rarely mentioned, and his music infrequently played. Yet at a time he was considered one of his country’s five most important composers, following Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Myaskovsky and Khachaturian. Right from the beginning of his career, Kabalevsky voiced his support for communism, and remained true to these principles throughout his life, even when he became a member of the Union of Soviet Composers and was appointed to the faculty of the Moscow Conservatoire, where he taught from 1932 to 1980. In sticking to his principles, Kabalevsky and a group of musicians who were particularly influential among the decision-makers often acted in a way that may now appear to be mistaken or even odious: for example, his unyielding opposition to certain works by Shostakovich. His pupils, however, recall him with unfailing gratitude and appreciation. One particular aspect of Kabalevsky’s work as a musician relates to the energy he put into projects regarding childhood and youth: not only did he write music specifically directed at bridging the gap between children's technical skills and adult aesthetics, but during his lifetime he set up a pilot program of music education in twenty-five Soviet schools. This album features two compositions by Kabalevsky that occupy an important position in his vast output. The first is the cycle of 24 Preludes Op. 38 , written in 1943 and dedicated to Nikolai Myakovsky, who had been a close friend since 1925. The premiere was given by the famous pianist Yakov Flier. The second work in this album is the Third Sonata Op. 46 in F major, composed in 1948, and favoured by luminaries such as Horowitz. Of course the listener will find some influences by both Shostakovitch and Prokovief, but Kabalevsky’s language may possibly be more friendly, less raucous, sometimes even reminiscent of some of Debussy’s accents. Italian pianist Pietro Bonfilio’s love for the Russian musical culture has urged him to explore this rarely heard repertoire. © SM/Qobuz

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Kabalevsky: Piano Sonata No.3, 24 Preludes

Pietro Bonfilio

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Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Major, Op. 46: I. Allegro con moto