Album insights
Mili Balakirew, the lone professional musician among a group of composers nicknamed the "mighty handful," held a prominent position as a mentor during the peak of his teaching career. In the 1860s, he advised not only Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin, Mussorgsky, and Cui but also individuals like Tchaikovsky. Despite being the group's only skilled professional pianist, he shifted away from a concert performer career after early successes.
His best-known solo piano composition, the oriental fantasy "Islamey," composed in 1869, marked his departure from the music scene following a nervous breakdown. Over time, Balakirew crafted a significant body of less theatrical yet impressive and technically demanding pieces, culminating in his only completed sonata. Inscribed in the nationalist-infused era, his piano sonata, just like the symphony and string quartet, faced skepticism for having Germanic influences.
Balakirew's determined efforts to Russianize the four-movement sonata cycle showcased a bold departure in structure. Balancing elements of strict fugue with free rhapsody, he created a unique musical blend challenging conventional norms. His intricate piano works, comprising Mazurkas, Nocturnes, Scherzos, and Waltzes, reflect influences from Liszt and Chopin, characterizing his blend of grace and grandiosity.
Balakirew's skilled technique in piano music, demanding precision akin to an engraver, set him apart from his contemporaries. His works combine elements of Chopin's grace with a robust grandeur reminiscent of Anton Rubinstein, highlighting a contrast in styles within his compositions. Notable pieces like the Nocturne No. 2 in B minor echo Chopin's larger pieces, while his Mazurkas and Polkas reflect a fusion of folk elements and virtuosic displays.
His compositions demonstrate a fusion of eloquence and technical prowess, with works like the Scherzo No. 1 in B minor showcasing his skilled ornamentation and brilliant codas. From elaborate waltzes like Valse-Caprice No. 2 to spirited Polkas, Balakirew's repertoire captures a blend of charm and athleticism familiar in Romantic-era piano music.