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Donald Macleod delves into Kashperova’s early career as a pianist, performing her own piano concerto.

The name of Leokadiya Kashperova was, for many decades, recorded in mainstream musical history as a footnote: the piano teacher of Igor Stravinsky. Her full story as a musician and composer has finally now been unearthed, through the research of Dr Graham Griffiths, supported by Radio 3’s Forgotten Women Composers project in collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the publisher Boosey and Hawkes. This week, in the year of her 150th anniversary, Donald Macleod is joined by Dr Graham Griffiths, author of Leokadiya Kashperova: Biography, Memoirs and Recollections of Anton Rubinstein, to rediscover this once renowned musician, and features many specially made recordings and UK premieres.

Kashperova was one of the most talented composers and pianists of her generation, described as ‘a most welcome phenomenon of St Petersburg’s musical life’. She studied composition with Nikolay Solovyov and piano with Anton Rubinstein. Both Glazunov and Balakirev favoured Kashperova in the interpretation of their music, and she travelled internationally as a soloist to destinations such as Berlin and London. She also often performed her own compositions. Prior to 1917 most of Kashperova’s works were published and heard, but the arrival of the Russian Revolution caused her voice to be silenced. Public performances of Kashperova’s music stopped altogether because of her connections with the gentry. Private performances were rare. She continued to compose, but now without any hope of hearing it played.

Today, Donald and Graham follow Kashperova as she graduates from the St Petersburg Conservatory and begins her career. She was awarded the title of Free Artist and signatories to the certificate included the composers Lyadov, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Soon after her graduation she composed her first cello sonata. Her former teacher Lyadov made suggestions to improve the work, but Kashperova decided to ignore him! She gave regular recitals with two professors at the Conservatory, cellist Verzhbilovich and the violinist Auer, and she also started to host her own regular musical evenings too. Within a few years, she was invited to give pianos lessons to a young Igor Stravinsky. Later in life, Stravinsky's comments about Kashperova were mixed, but he did concede that she gave new impetus to his piano development and technique. Around the time she taught Stravinsky, Kashperova produced a piano concerto, which she performed herself.

Piano Concerto in A minor (excerpt)
Alexandra Dariescu, piano
´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
Chris Hopkins, conductor

The Eagle and the Snake, UK Premiere
Jamie W. Hall, baritone
Paul Plummer, piano

Cello Sonata in G major, Op 1 No 1 (Allegro moderato)
Andrei Ionita, cello
Lilit Grigoryan, piano

Piano Trio in A minor, Op Posth (Scherzo: Allegro)
Gould Piano Trio

Piano Concerto in A minor (Allegro maestoso – Molto allegro) UK Premiere
Alexandra Dariescu, piano
´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
Chris Hopkins, conductor

Autumn Leaf No 1 (In the Midst of Nature)
Autumn Leaf No 2 (In the Midst of Nature)
Mengjie Han, piano

Produced by Luke Whitlock