Franz Schubert – Octet and Two Trios

   In early nineteenth century European music as well as a whole culture became the arena of revolutionary changes. One of effect of this transformation were careers of many composers from every corner of Europe. If any of them could be seen as the quintessence of romantic style in music, it is Franz Schubert – the Viennese composer who lived in poverty, died before age of 32 and left huge number of works. It is ironical, he was born in the center of musical world but never been recognized. Although he did not achieve his success personally, his music was adored by his contemporary listeners and later generations. 

   His music was classically balanced in economics of means of expression, but his most important future was melodic talent. There were very few composers in whole history, who were able to communicate so much with a single melodic line. Catalogue of his works includes all kinds of works, from great symphonic and sacred works to chamber music and songs, which became the landmark of the whole culture formation. Among his chamber works Octet for Two Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Clarinet, Bassoon and French Horn in F Major Op. 166, D. 803 is one of best known. This composition was commissioned by count Ferdinand von Treuer who was amateur clarinetist and who played the clarinet part during Octet first performance in March 1824.

Franz Schubert – Octet and Two Trios (1983)

   Perfect equilibrium of melodic expression, sound colors, construction and rhythmic ideas for releasing the dramatic tension gives Octet its place in chamber repertoire. The beautiful sound of Schubert’s arrangement for chamber ensemble has been perfectly captured in intellectual interpretation of Russian artists – violinist Oleg Kagan and Amayak Durgaryan, Mikhail Tolpygo playing viola, cellist Natalia Gutman, bass player Rifat Komachkov, clarinetist Lev Mikhailov, Valeri Popov on bassoon and Anatoli Dyomin playing French horn.
   This recording, made in 1979 were published in 1983 album under Melodiya label. The double album comprises also both trios for violin, viola and cello, both in B-flat Major. First was never completed but first movement composed in September 1816 (Trio B-flat Major, D. 471). Second trio, composed one year later in September 1817, Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello in B-flat Major, D. 581 is complete four movement construction of classical form. In Trios we can hear again Oleg Kagan, Mikhail Tolpygo and Natalia Gutman. These recordings are great example of virtuosos playing chamber music. This was great part of traditional practice in whole musical world. And as this set of records shows, in Russian music it has special impact.

Kagan, Lubimov & Mikhailov – Chamber Music of the 20th Century

   When romantic music has divided into professional concert music and more popular forms of musical culture, its place in public attention started to decline. Later, in XX century, when great symphonic works were still able to attract, works of less scale, sometimes experimenting with form and highly complex idiomatic language were seen as devoid of deeper meaning. With few exceptions of course, but these were the exceptions that prove the rule. These records as well as concerts of chamber music of the twentieth century composers are rather rare. This applies especially to these works which has crucial importance in creating new approaches and styles. Finally, there are not too many fans listening to the music of this kind.
   The more interest needs to be paid to any attempt of breaking the monopoly of mainstream art. And projects of this kind are sometimes taking place in various countries and in different ways. Most popular forms of publicizing niche works are festivals and independent artists’ recitals, present both in public performances and in recordings. Many of these are really valuable artistic achievements. One of such interesting and almost forgotten albums is Russian anthology Chamber Music of the 20th Century (Камерная музыка ХХ века) pressed in seventies by Mелодия label. One-record edition comprises works by Charles Ives, Anton Webern, Arnold Schőnberg, Krzysztof Penderecki and Alban Berg so it is only a glance at avant-garde chamber music but also quite rich showcase of three Russian artists.

Ives, Webern, Schőnberg, Penderecki, Berg – Chamber Music (1978)

   The three virtuoso artists, playing in duos and in trio, created imposing bunch of modern classics. This set has been performed by violin virtuoso Oleg Kagan, pianist Alexei Lubimov and clarinetist Lev Mikhailov. Oleg Kagan (Олег Моисеевич Каган) as young artist achieved prominent position in concert and chamber music. He was active in various styles and wide spectrum of repertoire. Died of cancer in 1990 at the age of 44 years but left a collection of great recordings. Chamber Music of the 20th Century is one of his early recording projects. In his renditions one can see a concise history of 20th century avant-garde music – selected works are terse and important achievements, from Largo by Charles Ives (1901), through Vier Stücke op. 7 by Anton Webern (1910) and Phantasy for Violin with Piano Accompaniment op. 47 by Arnold Schönberg (1949) to Three Miniatures for Violin and Piano by Krzysztof Penderecki (1959).
   Selection of works reveals characteristics of one of the most important trends of 20th century music. Largo composed by Charles Ives in 1901 has many versions for different sets of instruments. This arrangement for violin and piano shows deep lyricism and simplicity being main idea of modern music. Simplicity of language and laconic form can be traced in this program as a leitmotif, although in Schönberg’s Phantasy level of technical complications makes it a virtuoso composition. Phantasy for Violin with Piano Accompaniment op. 47 has been composed in March 1949. Arnold Schőnberg wrote his dedication for “Adolf Koldofsky who pleased me with his performance of my String Trio”. In original version this was composition for solo violin, as Schőnberg called it “for violinist with six fingers”. Later he added the piano accompaniment.
   Whole A-Side program is great recital of Oleg Kagan with precise and balanced participation of Alexei Lubimov (Алексе́й Бори́сович Люби́мов), pianist of great merit and importance in modern Russian music. He is the one who took part in all performances on B-Side which comprises two works by Alban Berg Vier Stücke für Klarinette und Klavier op. 5 and Adagio from Kammerkonzert. Chamber Concerto originally written for piano, violin and 13 wind instruments was finished in 1925, but ten years later, in 1935 composer made arrangement of 2nd movement for trio. Berg’s compositions are the program of Lev Mikhailov (Лев Николаевич Михайлов), clarinetist and saxophonist known as great solo and chamber artist. Last composition is a kind of crown for this set of recordings. The three artists made a perfect team, where every one is virtuoso alone and all of them can find their place in synergic relations with the others.