Luise Adolpha Le Beau: Complete Works For Piano / Markovina

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Label: Genuin
Release Date: January 25, 2011

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Featuring ⌄

COMPOSER

LE BEAU, LUISE ADOLPHA
PERFORMER

Ana-Marija Markovina

Product Details ⌄

RELEASE DATE

January 25, 2011
UPC

4260036251777
CATALOG NUMBER

GEN10177
LABEL

Genuin
NUMBER OF DISCS

1
GENRE

Instrumental

Works ⌄

No. 1. Fantasie-Stuck

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 2. Lied

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 3. Melodie

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Theme and Variations in F Minor, Op. 3

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
I. Allegro ma non troppo

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
II. Andante

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
III. Scherzo Allegro

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
IV. Allegretto vivo

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 1. Massig bewegt

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 2. Munter

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 3. Munter und leicht

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 4. Ziemlich ruhig

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 5. Massig bewegt

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 6. Bewegt

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 7. Einfach

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 8. Mit Grazie

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Improvisata for Left Hand in E-Flat Major, Op. 30

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Gavotte in F Minor, Op. 32

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Ballade in B Minor, Op. 47

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 1. Sarabande

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 2. Gavotte

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 3. Gigue

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Deutscher Reigen, Op. 49

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Trauermarsch, Op. 53

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 2. Nocturne

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
No. 3. Mazurka

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Barcarole, Op. 59

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina
Abendklaenge, Op. 63

Composer: Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Performer: Ana-Marija Markovina

LE BEAU 3 Klavierstücke. Original Theme with Variations . Sonata. 8 Preludes. Improvisata . Gavotte. Ballade. 3 Old Dances. Deutscher Reigen. Trauermarsch. Klavierstücke . Barcarole. Abendklaänge • Ana-Marija Markovina (pn) • GENUIN 10177 (79:48)

We often mourn the great music we have missed because of a handful of composers that died prematurely (Mozart, Schubert) or before a major breakthrough (Wagner). A far greater tragedy was the de facto removal of women from the compositional profession for most of the history of Western music, a state of affairs that has improved radically in recent decades.

Luise Adolphe Le Beau may seem like a mere historical footnote for those not familiar with her music (that included me until recently), but if this disc is any indication, this is one composer whose reappraisal is not happening quickly enough. She wrote in most of the major genres of the day, but not surprisingly it is her piano and chamber works that are getting the first modern glances. More often than not I’m skeptical about these revivals, but this fine recording by Marija Markovina of Le Beau’s complete piano works should spark renewed interest.

Biographical information isn’t easy to come by for the German composer, even with notes that are otherwise substantial. Her primary fame seemed to spring from her concertizing, though her compositions did make a minor splash with other composers of the day (Clara Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, and critic Hanslick) and in at least one contest. The demands on the pianist are significant, though by no means on the same level of virtuosity of Liszt or even Brahms. Some of these bear the hallmarks of parlor pieces, but others are substantial enough to take pride of place on a concert stage. The Improvisata has more meat than the name might imply, with a suggestion of a barcarolle in the rolling melody in triplets. The Ballade has some Chopin in its DNA, but there are also touches of Schumann and Brahms here as well as in most of the other works. The central tune is a thing of beauty, and the bravura final pages are stirring.

Her gift for spinning simple and memorable tunes is nowhere more apparent than in the sweetly pastoral Three Old Dances . The most extended work, Original Theme with Variations, dates from her early years, but the skills seem already fully developed. Here the mark of Schumann is most pronounced, with concentrated, inventive variations that reach well beyond the clichés of the Classical or early Romantic era.

I don’t often highly recommend obscure works beyond a pool of dedicated specialists. Here is a happy exception, a generous helping of engaging piano works performed in captivating style by a perceptive pianist. As a bonus for the collector, this is one recording that is sure to stump any competitors in a game of “guess that composer.”

FANFARE: Michael Cameron