Sonata No. 2 for Flute and Piano, Op. 81
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- Staff Pick
Staff Pick
“Worth a look.”
Alena Walentin has arranged this lovely cello sonata so that it sits really well on the flute. The changes of registration she has chosen allow her to maintain most of the richness of the colouring and also add some lightness to the textures which makes it seem like a flute piece. The broad phrases of the opening Allegro moderato sweep across the range, the passion of the Andante cantabile uses the upper octave to great effect, and the closing Allegro poses technical challenges as it emulates the power of the original writing. This is an imaginative addition to the flute repertoire and well worth a look.
From the Publisher
Nikolai Myaskovsky was a student of Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov and Lyadov, and a close friend of Prokofiev. Often called the "Father of the Soviet Symphony", Myaskovsky was a prolific composer whose work spanned various genres, including 27 symphonies, 13 string quartets, and numerous instrumental sonatas. His music, marked by deep emotional resonance, has often been regarded as underrated, astonishing first-time listeners with its beauty and depth.
His Second Cello Sonata, Op. 81, was composed shortly after the infamous 1948 Resolution. Despite his accomplishments, he faced official criticism during this time when the Communist Party accused him - along with Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Khachaturian - of "formalism." Yet this Sonatais a piece of remarkable serenity. It is gorgeously Romantic with a soulful, expressive melodic line which is supported by the rich harmonies of the piano. Dedicated to and premiered by Rostropovich, the piece earned the Stalin Prize, Second Class, in the chamber music category.
Beyond composing, Myaskovsky played a vital role as a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, influencing a generation of composers, including Aram Khachaturian and Rodion Shchedrin. Shostakovich characterized Myaskovsky as "the most notable, the most modest of men", and Myaskovsky remains a sincere and sensitive artist whose contributions continue to inspire.
Performance duration (approx): 20'
Item Details
Instrumentation
- Part 1: Flute
- Part 2: Piano
Publisher: Just Flutes Edition
Publisher's reference: JFE027
Our Stock Code: 1698862
Media Type: Paperback (39 pages [score])
