Boris Papandopulo – 2. The Piano Takes Centre Stage
Today, The Last Century returns for a second programme of music by Boris Papandopulo (1906-1991), Croatia’s greatest twentieth-century composer. His heritage was a fascinating mix: he was of Russian-Jewish descent, his father was a Greek nobleman, his mother a Croatian opera singer, and he was born in Germany. Alongside his work as a composer, he was active as a conductor, pianist, arranger, teacher, broadcaster and journalist. He composed nearly 500 works, encompassing everything from opera and film music to chamber music and solo piano repertoire. He also transcribed a wealth of folk music from south-eastern Europe. Despite all of that, he remains largely unknown beyond Croatia.
The piano is our focus today. We begin with the Lyrical Trio, a work that brings together a variety of styles and techniques. Next comes the jazzy Piano Concerto No. 3, followed by Papandopulo’s interpretations of several of Nicolò Paganini’s Caprices.
Playlist:
Boris Papandopulo
- Lyrical Trio (1982)
I. Overture
II. Elegy
III. Danse
Oliver Triendl (piano), Amaury Coeytaux (violin), Andrei Ioniță (cello) - Piano Concerto No. 3 (1959)
I. Moderato
II. Andante tranquillo
III. Molto più mosso
Oliver Triendl (piano), Rijeka Opera Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ville Matvejeff - Three Caprices after Paganini (1981)
I. Corrente (after Caprice No. 18)
II. Moderato (after Caprice No. 14)
III. Ad libitum – Agitato (after Caprice No. 5)
Goran Filipec (piano) - 10 x 1: Ten Musical Impressions Each Lasting One Minute – Nos. 1–2
Nicholas Phillips (piano)
