RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Nikolai KAPUSTIN (b.1937)
2 + 2 4 Kapustin
Concerto for two pianos and percussion, Op. 104 (2002) [21:14]
Eight Concert Etudes, Op. 40 (1984) [24:24]
Sonata 14 Op. 120 (2004) [14:49]
Paraphrase on Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca" for two pianos [4:12]
Daniel del Pino, Ludmil Angelov (pianos)
Neopercusión (Juanjo Guillem, Rafael Gálvez)
rec. no details supplied. world premiere recordings. SACD
NON PROFIT MUSIC NPM 1011 [6446]
Kapustin was born in Gorlovka in the Ukraine. He was a pupil of Alexander
Goldenweiser at the Moscow Conservatory in 1961. While his training was classical
his performing and compositional inclinations have taken him into the congenial
territory of jazz though his work titles and adherence to opus number organisation
often suggest adherence to classical form. He may perhaps be compared with
Friedrich Gulda though unlike Gulda he never recorded the classical repertoire.
His life story and music is nicely summarised by Leslie
De’Ath elsewhere on this site. His higher profile has been secured
in classical quarters by piano recital on Hyperion (Osborne and Hamelin).
It may also have been further heightened by his seeming reluctance to record
more extensively - the piano concertos cry out to be recorded. Meantime if
you can get hold of them don’t overlook the composer-played Boheme discs
listed at the end of the De’Ath article.
CDs of Kapustin are far too rare and it is a delight to welcome this one.
The Concerto for two pianos and percussion is for the same forces as the Bartok
Sonata. The music explodes like a phantasmagoric firework. Sparks flutter,
streams of light explode in a constantly jazzy extended spasm of exultant
virtuosity with only the occasional remission. This is glorious playing and
wondrous music-making from the NPM team. The recording balance takes no prisoners;
it’s in the thick of things and so it continues across the fast rippling
and throbbing Concert Etudes many of which remind us of Nancarrow’s
pianola extravagances. These are contrasted with slow-motion coruscation or
pulsating syncopation. The mix is similar with the Sonata No. 14 in the outer
movements. For contrast there’s a bluesy, swaying and melting central
movement. The Paraphrase on Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca" is ruthlessly exciting
and is redolent of 1920s Milhaud but overdosed on steroids.
You’ll need a lie-down or a work-out after this! Kapustin rocks!
Rob Barnett
CDs of Kapustin are far too rare and it is a delight to welcome this one.