大象传媒

Donald Macleod features an early recording of Kashperova performing Balakirev from 1910.

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鈥檚 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 鈥榓 most welcome phenomenon of St Petersburg鈥檚 musical life鈥�. 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鈥檚 works were published and heard, but the arrival of the Russian Revolution caused her voice to be silenced. Public performances of Kashperova鈥檚 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 introduces us to Balakirev, who had grown to be a formidable force in Russian musical culture. He had an iron will and very strong opinions, and expected people to fall in with his demands. His first encounters with Leokadiay Kashperova didn鈥檛 go well. He criticised her symphony, and even questioned her heritage. However, Kashperova and Balakirev formed a working relationship; she made a recording of his music in 1910 and was even photographed with him. Balakirev鈥檚 star was fading, though, and he died that same year, whereas Kashperova鈥檚 music was being heard more and more frequently. She was appeared alongside luminaries such as Franti拧ek Ond艡i膷ek, the dedicatee of Dvo艡谩k's Violin Concerto.

Piano Concerto in A minor (excerpt)
Alexandra Dariescu, piano
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
Chris Hopkins, conductor

Two Roses No 1 (In the Midst of Nature)
Two Roses No 2 (In the Midst of Nature)
Mengjie Han, piano

Balakirev
Piano Sonata No 2 in B flat minor (excerpt)
Leokadiya Kashperova, piano

Leokadiya Kashperova
Cello Sonata in E minor, Op 1 No 2 (excerpt)
Anastasia Kobekina, cello
Luka Okros, piano

Piano Concerto in A minor (excerpt) UK Premiere
Alexandra Dariescu, piano
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
Chris Hopkins, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock