Alexander Tcherepnin

[Glyptodont]

I went through a phase about January where I started playing a number of pieces by Alexander Tcherepnin.  I then played some of his so-called bagatelles.  One that I liked is published by Theodore Presser and is a posthumous piece called "bagatelle oubliee."  There are quite a few of these bagatelles.

Some of these pieces are not terribly hard, but they ask for very great spreads, sometimes tenths or more. 

Have others out there tried his pieces, and what is your opinion?  I am far from an expert, believe me, having just "dipped my toe in the water" so to speak.

He had some theory dealing with chord progressions that gives his pieces -- to me anyway -- a bit of a strange sound.

[sharon_f]

I learned a few of his Op. 5 Bagatelles last year and thoroughly enjoyed playing them. They are not terribly hard, though there a couple that are quite tricky.  I believe these Bagatelles are standard teaching pieces for the late intermediate student. (At least they were years ago, when I first took lessons.) I have considered learning the entire set later on to include in my repertoire.

I have  a CD of some of his piano performed by Martha Braden who specializes in Tcherepnin. It is a CRI re-issue and can be a little difficult to find, but you can purchase it from her website, www.marthabraden.com .