Album insights
This CD juxtaposes two significant Russian works for violin and orchestra, each composed by a musician closely associated with Tchaikovsky and dedicated to the renowned violinist and educator Leopold Auer (1845–1930), much like Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. One of the featured works is Anton Stepanovich Arensky's (1861–1906) sole Violin Concerto, born in Novgorod, who became a Professor at the Moscow Conservatory after being a student of Rimsky-Korsakov in St. Petersburg. Arensky, whose musical language often mirrored Tschaikovsky's, had pupils like Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, composing works in memory of Tschaikovsky, such as his second string quartet. Returning to St. Petersburg as the Director of the Imperial Chapel Choir in the 1890s, Arensky later resigned from the position in 1901. He passed away relatively young in a sanatorium in Perkjärvi, Finland, from tuberculosis, leaving behind a modest body of work known for pieces like the Quartet and Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky.
Arensky's Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 54, stands out among his charming compositions, known for its graceful and elegant structure, showing mature Russian romantic nationalism. In contrast, Sergei Taneyev's Concert Suite, a large-scale work, exhibits more formal, even neoclassical aspirations. Taneyev, 5 years older than Arensky, was born in the Vladimir District in 1856, showing prodigious talent early on and was appointed Director of the Moscow Conservatory. He performed the Moscow premiere of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto and introduced many of Tchaikovsky's subsequent works for piano and orchestra. Over the years, he succeeded Tschaikovsky and Rubinstein as the Conservatory's Director and became a leading figure in music education and composition, providing valuable insights into Renaissance counterpoint to his students, including Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. Despite admiration for his work, Taneyev remained artistically isolated, being pegged as the "Russian Brahms" due to his meticulous compositions and his preference for well-balanced structures and logical processing.
Taneyev's deep respect for Russian folk music, used to develop complex polyphonic treatments, characterized his unique musical style, drawing him comparisons to German composers like Brahms. Although labeled the "Russian Brahms," Taneyev's formal adherence to balance and logic set him apart, much like his mentor Tchaikovsky, who held Mozart in high regard while disliking Brahms' music. Taneyev's contribution extended beyond composition, delving into education and performance during a career marked by artistic integrity and a profound understanding of music theory.