Presents
Vasily Barvinsky
Variations for Piano, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello and Bass
We are pleased to present the Variations for Piano and Strings by the Ukrainian composer Vasily (Vasyl) Barvinsky (1888-1963) He was born in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil (then known as Tarnopol and part of the Austrian-Habsburg Empire). He studied piano, and composition at the Lyiv Conservatory and afterward in Prague with Vizeslav Novak. He pursued a career as a composer and teacher, eventually becoming a professor at the Lyiv Conservatory. His music, occasionally shows the influence of Impressionism, but often relies on Ukrainian folk melodies. Minimalism also attracted him. He was not a prolific composer and chamber music is not a large part of his oeuvre.
Barvinsky's Sextet for Piano and Strings is a theme and set of 6 variations completed in 1914 shortly after he finished his studies with Vizeeslav Novak who encouraged him to use his native (i.e. Ukrainian) folk melodies. The piano introduces a calm theme alone. When the strings enter the mood becomes slightly sad and quite lyrical. The first variation is closely related to the theme in both mood and tempo. The second variation is subtitled Scherzo. It is appears to be a kind of folk dance presented in gentler form. Third comes a Lento subtitle Lyrical Tune. It is clearly a sad lament rather like a shepherd's plaint. The fourth variation is a bright, jovial Allegro, making a fine contrast with what has come before. The fifth variation is subtitled Dumka, a Ukrainian term for music which is generally sad and melancoly. The finale, variation six is subtitled Kolomeyko. A Kolomeyko is a traditional Ukrainian round dance. It starts off slowly but quickly accelerates and grows in excitement.
The music was not published during Barvinsky's lifetime. Much of his music was lost in a fire and Barvinsky spent the final years of his life trying to reconstruct from memory the works that had been lost. Eventually a score was made from sketches surviving in Lviv by the firm of Muzychna Ukrainia several years after his death, as part of a collection of Ukrainian music. The Ukrainian musicologist Dora Nabutovsky has made parts from the Muzychna score. This is an important Ukrainian chamber music work from the late Romantic era. It is sure to be a success if brought into the concert hall and can also be recommended to experience amateurs.
Parts: $44.95
