Composer

:

Mily Balakirev

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Transcription

Compose Date

:

1898

Publication Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

31:43

Mily Balakirev's "Russian Folksongs (30)" is a collection of thirty arrangements of traditional Russian folk songs for solo piano. The collection was composed between 1866 and 1868 and premiered in 1869. The collection is divided into three movements, each containing ten songs. The first movement features songs from the northern regions of Russia, the second from the central regions, and the third from the southern regions. Balakirev's arrangements of these folk songs are characterized by his use of virtuosic piano techniques, such as rapid octave passages and intricate fingerwork. He also incorporates elements of Russian folk music, such as modal harmonies and irregular rhythms, into his arrangements. The first movement includes songs such as "The Little Birch Tree," "The Linden Tree," and "The Snowstorm." The second movement includes "The Little Bell," "The Cuckoo," and "The Birch Tree." The third movement includes "The Nightingale," "The Don Cossack," and "The Volga Boatman." Overall, Balakirev's "Russian Folksongs (30)" is a significant contribution to the repertoire of Russian piano music. Its use of traditional folk melodies and incorporation of Russian musical elements make it a unique and important work in the history of Russian classical music.

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