Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940)

Donald Macleod explores the recently unearthed life and works of
Leokadiya Kashperova, one of the most talented composers and
pianists of her generation.


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 researches of Dr Graham
Griffiths, supported by Radio 3’s Forgotten Women Composers
project in collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Research
Council. This week, in the year of her 150th anniversary, Donald
Macleod is joined by Graham Griffiths to rediscover this once
renowned musician. Featuring 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.


Music Featured:


Symphony in B minor, Op 4 (excerpt) The Murmuring of the Rye (In
the Midst of Nature) Cello Sonata in E minor, Op 1 No 2 (Allegro
appasionato) Symphony in B minor, Op 4 (Andante – Allegro
risoluto) Night Cello Sonata in G major, Op 1 No 1 (Allegro
moderato) Piano Trio in A minor, Op Posth (Scherzo: Allegro)
Piano Concerto in A minor (Allegro maestoso – Molto allegro) UK
Premiere Autumn Leaf No 1 (In the Midst of Nature) Symphony in B
minor, Op 4 (Andante) Nachtgebet (Songs of Love: 12 Romances, No
11) UK Premiere Cello Sonata in E minor, Op 1 No 1 (excerpt) Dich
Einz’gen lieb’ ich (Songs of Love: 12 Romances, No 6) UK Premiere
Wiedersehen (Songs of Love: 12 Romances, No 8) UK Premiere Piano
Trio in A minor, Op Posth (excerpt) Symphony in B minor, Op 4
(Finale: Andante sostenuto – molto allegro)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Leokadiya Kashperova
(1872-1940) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fwz0


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z