Mieczyslav Weinberg (aka Moisey Vainberg) was in fact born and raised in Poland, but the vast majority of his compositional career was in the Soviet Union and he remained there for the rest of his life, in Minsk (now the capital of independent Belarus). He therefore comes well within the definition of 'Russian' for the purpose of this series and was certainly treated as such by the authorities. This and the succeeding album which includes the remaining three sonatas, were originally released on the now defunct Olympia label but had a relatively short life and restricted distribution, and until 2012, still the only full recordings of these very fine works. This is music which though modern is written to comply with Soviet requirements and is thus also very approachable and melodic without ever being trite or unoriginal.

Tracklist:

Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 5: I. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 5: II. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 5: III. Andantino
Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 5: IV. Allegro Molto
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 8: I. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 8: II. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 8: III. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 8: IV. Vivace
Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 31: I. Allegro Tranquillo
Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 31: II. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 31: III. Moderato Con Moto
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 1, Merry March
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 2, The Nightingale
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 3, The Skipping Rope
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 4, Baba Yagá
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 5, Playmates
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 6, The Sick Doll
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 7, A Tin Soldier
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 8, Grandmother's Fairy Tale
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 9, The Little Shepherd
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 10, Hide And Seek
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 11, Father Frost
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 12, Melancholy Waltz
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 13, The Goldfish
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 14, Petrushka's Lament
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 15, Catch Me If You Can
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 16, The Dolls
17 Easy Pieces, Op. 24: No. 17, Good Night

UPC: 809730510526
Label: Divine Art
Release Date: 10.9.12
Format: CD

MURRAY MCLACHLAN - Russian Piano Music Vol 9 (CD)