Theme

This bosom friend of Prokofjev (above on his last photo) never really got over the anathema due to ‘formalism’ that hit him in 1948. He was very ill already at the end of 1949, but kept putting off an operation to his stomach tumor to make things straight and complete his last compositions. One of his last pieces is the ninth piano sonata pous 84, performed by Endre Hegedus. Dating from 1949 is also the 13th string quartet opus 86 that is performed by the Tanejev Quartet, consisting of violin playing Vladimir Ovtsjárek and Grigori Loetzki, viola player Vissarion Solovjev and cellist Josef Levinzon. Mjaskovski’s last symphony is a quite frank review on the tradition of Tsjajkovski and the Mighty Handful. Listen to this 27th symphony in c, opus 85 performed by the Russian State Symphony Orchestra led by Valeri Poljanski.
During this episode we will remain in the atmosphere of the 19th century. The Quartet of the Bolsjoj Theater, that consists of violin players Isaak Zhuk and Boris Veltmann, viola player Moris Goervitsj and cellist Isaak Boeravski, reinforced by viola player Rudolf Barshai and cellist Svjatoslav Knoesjevitski, will perform the Russian scherzo by Aleksandr Borodin from 1882, that was actually meant for a collective string quartet ‘The Fridays’ by the Mighty Handful for the salon of Maecenas Mitrofan Beljajev of that day.     
On 11 December 1931 the Bolsjoj Theater Quartet first performed in Moscow and existed until 1968. Put together of the leaders of the string section of the Orchestra of the Bolsjoj Theater and the State Symphony Orchestra the quartet had little time to go on an international tour. They often worked together with Sjostakovitsj in Moscow. At the premiere of his chamber music works in Moscow; they baptized his quintet with him. (Above together with the composer on the right).

Probably as classical oriented as Mjaskovski was Nikolaj Medtner, who settled in England in 1936 and died there on 13 November 1951. Beethoven was his shining example and homesickness to Moscow would never leave this bosom friend of Rachmaninov until his death. (Above together with their wives). His piano quintet in C was released posthumous. He had worked at it since 1903 and considered the work as the ultimate summary of his creative power.
As a transition to the next Ear Witness, that will be dedicated to the first post war Queen Elisabeth Concours in Brussels, Leonid Kogan will play the Valse-Scherzo in C major by Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjajkovski. 
Nikolaj Jakovlevitsj Mjaskovski (Novo Georgijevsk (Lomze) 20.4.1881 – Sivtsev Vrazjek 8.8.1950).
1. Piano sonata no 9 in F opus 84 (1949): 1) I. Svetlije obrazi – Sonatina (Allegro non troppo), 2) Povestvovanije (Andante sostenuto), 3) Neoederzjimoje stremlenije – Rondo (Molto vivo).
Endre Hegedus, piano.
Marco Polo 8.223178.
2. String Quartet no 13 in a opus 86 (1949): 1) Moderato, 2) Presto fantastico, 3) Andante con moto e molto cantabile, 4) Molto vivo, energico.
Tanejev Quartet: Vladimir Ovtsjarek en Grigori Loetzki, violin. Vissarion Solovjev, viola. Josef Levinzon, cello.
Russian Disc RD CD 111 035.
3. Symphony no 27 in c, opus 85 (1949): 1) Adagio – Allegro animato, 2) Adagio, 3) Presto ma non troppo.
Russian State Symphony Orchestra led by Valeri Poljanski.
Chandos CHAN 10025.
4. Aleksandr Porfirjevitsj Borodin (1833-1887).
Russisch scherzo in D from the collective string quartet ‘Fridays’ (1882).
Bolsjoj Theater Quartet: Isaak Zhuk and Boris Veltmann, violin. Moris Goervitsj, viola. Isaak Boeravski, cello. Rudolf Barshai, viola 2. Svjatoslav Knoesjevitski, cello 2.
MEL CD 10 01750.
5. Nikolaj Karlovitsj Medtner (5.1.1880 – 13.11.1951).
Piano Quinet in C, opus posthumous: 1) Molto placido, 2) Andantino con moto, 3) Finale (Hosianna). 
Hamish Milne, piano. Kenneth Sillito en Malcolm Latchem, violin. Robert Smissen, viola. Stephen Orton, cello.
CRD 3515.
6. Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjajkovski (7.5.1840 – 6.11.1893).
Valse-scherzo in C opus 34 (1877). 
Leonid Kogan, violin, USSR State Symphony Orchestra led by Aleksandr Gauk.
Brilliant Classics 93030/4.