In ‘An Early Evening Stroll’, we continue our exploration of the almost forgotten oeuvre of Anton Arensky (1861-1906). Friend – and admirer – of Tchaikovsky, teacher of Rachmaninov.
We open with a piano concerto that Arensky wrote when he was still a conservatory student, and a next door neighbour to Chopin. This is followed by a piece for piano and orchestra, based on Russian folk songs. He also composed for string quartet. We will hear his first piece composed for string quartet, in which he also makes use of folk music. And we conclude with a highly romantic song, filled with heartbreak.
Anton Arensky: Piano Concerto in F minor, op. 2
Stephen Coombs, piano
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Jerzy Maksymiuk
Anton Arensky: Fantasy on themes by Ryabinin, op. 48
Tatiana Polyanskaya, piano
Russian State Symphony Orchestra
Valeri Polyansky
Anton Arensky: String Quartet in G major opus 11
Lajtha Quartet
Anton Arensky: ‘A Dream, op. 17/3’
Vassily Savenko, bass-baritone
Alexander Blok, piano
