Mily Balakirev
The Lark (Mikhail Glinka)
“The Lark” is one of the most popular Russian songs of the Romantic era, composed by the founder of the Russian nationalist school, Mikhail Glinka. His fellow countryman, Mili Balakirev, took this simple, melancholy air as the basis for a highly virtuosic piano transcription à la Liszt. It is an impressive bravura piece of moderate length that is ideally suited as an encore or in recitals.
While researching this new Urtext edition, G. Henle Publishers succeeded in unearthing two sensational sources; Balakirev’s autograph manuscript, believed to have been lost, was rediscovered, as was a print copy with revisions in the composer’s own hand that documents the definitive version. Not only the edition, but the fingerings, too, are of the very highest quality; they were prepared by Russian star pianist Evgeny Kissin.
About the Composer
Michail Glinka
He is regarded as the first Russian composer of national importance on whom the subsequent generation – Balakirev, Borodin, César Cui, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov (the “Mighty Handful”) – explicitly built. His first opera, “A Life for the Tsar,” grew to become a nationalist opera. Aside from his two operas, which served as models for the following generations, his songs and his instrumental music, shaped by Russian folklore, are of significance.
| 1804 | Born into a wealthy aristocratic family in Novospasskoye on June 1. |
| 1818–22 | Attends the boarding school for the nobility in St. Petersburg, where he also receives lessons in piano and violin. |
| 1824 | Civil service position in St. Petersburg, attendance at literary and musical salons; he meets Pushkin. |
| 1828 | Publication of his first compositions; he resigns his position as a civil servant. |
| 1830–34 | Journey to Italy via Germany, where he gains musical ideas (Beethoven, Spohr, Cherubini, Bellini, Donizetti); lessons in composition with Siegfried Dehn in Berlin. |
| 1834 | Symphony on Two Russian Themes. |
| 1835 | He settles in St. Petersburg. |
| 1836 | Premiere in St. Petersburg of his major work, the historical opera “A Life for the Tsar.” Thereafter, appointment to the St. Petersburg Court Chapel. |
| 1842 | Premiere of his fairy tale opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, after Pushkin. |
| 1844/45 | Stay in Paris, then, until 1847, in Spain. Composes the “Capriccio brillante on the Jota aragonesa.”1848 |
| Composition of “Kamarinskaya,” a cycle of variations for orchestra on a Russian wedding song, and “Recuerdos de Castilla” for orchestra. | 1854–55 |
| He writes his memoirs, “Zapiski.” | 1857 |
Mili Balakirew
A Russian composer, pianist, conductor and co-founder of the New Russian School of composers called the “Mighty Handful.” His interest in folk music found expression in his works. In addition, he felt particularly indebted to the musical heritage of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka. An important musical figure without institutional training, he rejected the academy. His compositions include works for piano, pieces for choir and for orchestra, songs, and chamber music.
| 1837 | Born in Nizhny Novgorod on January 2. He receives his first musical instruction from his mother. |
| from 1846 | Piano lessons in Moscow with Alexandre Dubuque and Karl Eisrich. |
| from 1851 | He gives concerts at the home of landowner and patron Alexander Dmitryevich Ulybyshev. He is employed as a choir director. |
| from 1855 | He is introduced to musical life in St. Petersburg and makes the acquaintance of Mikhail Glinka and Alexander Serov. A tight-knit circle of accolytes forms around him, including Modest Mussorgsky, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and Alexander Borodin. |
| 1862–73 | He founds the Musical Free School in St. Petersburg, organizing and leading its concerts. |
| 1867–69 | Chief conductor of the Russian Musical Society. |
| 1869 | He begins work on the oriental fantasy Islamey, regarded as one of the most technically challenging works in the piano literature. |
| from 1873 | Personal crises prompt him to take a multi-year hiatus from music. |
| 1881–1908 | Director of the Musical Free School. |
| 1883 | Appointed music director of the Imperial Chapel. |
| 1910 | Dies in St. Petersburg on May 29. |
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Further editions of this title
Further editions of this title
