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