Album insights
Robert Schumann, a young writer and ambitious composer, penned an article in 1831 for the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, containing the now-famous exclamation "Hut ab, ihr Herren, ein Genie!" - the first printed mention of a new and unique voice in the music world. Schumann, only four months younger than Chopin and relatively unknown, paid tribute to Chopin in 1835 in his Carnaval op. 9, particularly in its twelfth piece titled "Chopin," a sincere and loving imitation of Chopin's distinctive piano style. This gesture set the stage for a cascade of homages to Chopin by numerous composers and pianists, both renowned and lesser-known.
Among those inspired by Chopin was Russian composer Mili Balakirev (1837–1910), respected for his piano works that showed Chopin's influence, such as Mazurkas, Nocturnes, Walzes, Scherzi, and even a piano sonata in B minor. Balakirev's musical journey also involved arrangements like Chopin's Mazurka No. 7 for string orchestra and the second movement (Romanza) of Chopin's E minor Concerto for piano solo. Additionally, he created a Chopin Suite for orchestra and an Impromptu based on two Chopin Preludes, showcasing virtuosic piano techniques. The influence of Chopin extended to various composers like Franz Bendel, who celebrated the long melodies of Chopin's Nocturnes in an 1867 homage.
Edvard Grieg, hailed as the "Chopin of the North" by Hans von Bülow, found influence in Chopin's miniature musical expressions, evident in his piano pieces like the op. 73 "Stimmungen" collection. Grieg's skilled adoption of Chopin's style is showcased in his study titled "Hommage à Chopin," mirroring two Chopin Etudes with virtuosity. Another notable homage came from Ferruccio Busoni, who composed Chopin Variations in the vein of Chopin's solemn C minor Prelude, rich with intricate variations and a grand fugal conclusion. Busoni's dedication to exploring and honoring Chopin's legacy resulted in timeless works like the variations.
Eduard Nápravník, a prominent figure in Russian music life, integrated Chopin's influence in his works, such as the reflective "La réminiscence de Chopin." In contrast, Tschaikowsky's op. 72 collection featured "Un poco di Chopin," a Mazurka showcasing intriguing rhythmic deceptions. A touching homage to Chopin also came from Arthur Honegger, whose "Souvenir de Chopin" captured Chopin's essence in a cinematic setting, reflecting a poignant blend of styles.
Sir Lennox Berkeley's musical journey, influenced by Ravel, resulted in pieces like the Berceuse and Concert Studies echoing Chopin's spirit. Berkeley's dedication to musical exploration was highlighted in his contribution to a concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of Chopin's passing, a tribute shared by several other composers under the UNESCO initiative.
Artistic tributes to Chopin also emerged in works by composers like Villa-Lobos, Mompou, Godard, and Godowsky, each expressing facets of Chopin's legacy through diverse musical lenses. These homages, combined with Leschetizky's warm closing tribute in his Contes de jeunesse op. 46, completed the spectrum of musical reflections on Frédéric Chopin's enduring influence across generations and borders.