Imperial Russia: Romantic Splendor Before the Revolution

Part I of the “A Russian Mosaic” Series

This program immerses listeners in the sumptuous world of late Imperial Russia, where music shimmered with emotion, elegance, and expressive freedom. These works, written before the 1917 Revolution, reflect a time when Russian composers blended deep national identity with the opulent textures and sweeping lyricism of Romanticism.

Sergei Rachmaninoff – Two Pieces for Cello and Piano
Opening the concert, Rachmaninoff’s Elegie and Danse Orientale offer a perfect introduction to the lush harmonic language and heartfelt melancholy that characterize Imperial Russian music. The cello sings with nostalgia and warmth, while the piano paints a sensual, almost exotic atmosphere.

Alexander Taneyev – Feuillet d’album, Op. 33a for Viola and Piano
This brief but refined miniature by the often-overlooked Taneyev embodies aristocratic grace. Intimate and polished, it offers a glimpse into the cultivated musical salons of late-19th-century Russia.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Souvenir d’un lieu cher for Violin and Piano
Tchaikovsky’s three-part suite is nostalgic and intensely lyrical—music as a personal keepsake. Each movement radiates his unmistakable melodic gift, full of longing and tenderness.

Sergei Taneyev – Piano Quartet in E major
A grand finale to the program, Taneyev’s piano quartet dazzles with contrapuntal brilliance and rich Romantic colors. A champion of clarity and craft, Taneyev brings both intellect and deep feeling to this rarely heard masterpiece—a fitting tribute to the depth of Imperial Russian chamber music.

Imperial Russia is the first of a two-part series exploring Russian identity through music. Today we hear a world of nobility, richness, and Romantic expressiveness—soon to be swept away by revolution. Stay tuned for Part II: Soviet Russia, where music confronts an entirely new political and emotional landscape.