Viktor Kosenko, Poem Legend, Op. 12, No. 1, mp3

[rachfan]

Viktor Kosenko (1896-1938) was a Ukrainian composer, but also a virtuoso pianist and piano pedagogue.  In his earlier years his principal influences were Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Lysenco.  A graduate of the Warsaw Conservatory, he studied piano with Aleksander Michalowski and Iryna Miklashovskaya, and composition and music theory with Mikhail Sokolovsky.  Kosenko composed about 250 works in all—about 100 of those for solo piano--and the other works being orchestral works, concertos, chamber music, chorus works, and songs.  During his short life, Kosenko also held important positions in academia, music circles, and was often a juror at important piano competitions.

I hope you'll enjoy hearing this etude.

Comments welcome.

Piano: Baldwin Model L Artist Grand (6’3”) with lid fully raised.
Recorder: Roland R-44
Mics: Matched pair of Earthworks TC-20 small diaphragm, omni-directional condenser mics in A-B configuration

[chechig]

Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!!

[rachfan]

Hi chechig,

Glad to hear that you enjoyed listening.  Thanks!

David

[ronde_des_sylphes]

That is a nice miniature and well worth hearing. In some peculiar way it reminded me of Frank Bridge's April and Rosemary - a pleasant memory from my teenage repertoire.

[rachfan]

Hi ronde,

I've thought of Frank Bridge, so some day I'll certainly look at those scores.  Ireland deserves some attention as well. 

Thanks for listening to Kosenko's Poem Legend.  It's is beautiul piece.

David

[emill]

hi David,

Thanks for sharing this ... good for expanding my music horizon.
The piece seems to be similar to those used in some American romantic movies, conveys an atmosphere of unsureness of the outcome ... an interlude.

THANKS...

emill

[rachfan]

Hi emill,

Glad you enjoyed hearing this number by Kosenko.  I didn't happen to think of that connection to American romantic movies; however, now that I think about it, you make an interesting point.  This  would especially being the case with sound tracks from movies of the 1930s and 1940s.

David

[goldentone]

Hi David,

You give an effective opening in the drama and flourish.  The coda is a surprise where he shifts the nature of the music--a touch of Gershwin.  Thanks for sharing.

[rachfan]

Hi goldentone,

Thanks for listening and commenting.  I think you've characterized the nature of this music very well.  There is a second legend too, but I have not yet decided on learning it or not.

David 

[visitor]

Apologies for not commenting sooner, i usuallu download and listen to these offline later.
Wonderful playing again of uncommon and beautiful music. Kosenko is gold and if anthing Im glad my replay can bump this back to page 1 top status where i feel your playing and his muaic always belong!
 

[rachfan]

Hi visitor,

Great to hear your praise!  I certainly appreciate it.  Also, thanks for that bumping to page 1.