Thursday 23 January 2014

Abram Chasins - a killer etude, Op. 6 No. 3

This was the piece that killed my Chasins recording!  Oh well, better get slaughtered in battle than never to have fought.

The Op. 6 is a collection of three pieces, originally titled as Keyboard Karikature, each being a caricature of a famous personality.  No. 1 is a nocturne in the style of Rachmaninoff, No. 2 is a Viennese waltz a la Godowsky, and this Op. 6 No. 3 is a caricature of Wilhelm Backhaus's stunning virtuosity.  I believe there is a violin transcription of this etude, though, as can be expected, it is an absolute disaster to play through (double-stops all the way!). 

I believe this is the second issue of the piece as the original title, Keyboard Karikature, is no longer there.  According to this title page, the three pieces were issued separately.  There isn't even an Opus number here, just "ETUDE IN C# MINOR, Inscribed to Wilhem Bachaus".  Chasins wrote a whole chapter on Bachaus in his book, and I imagine it must have been spectacular hearing his live performances.

Published in 1925 by J. Fischer & Bro.  What a precious work!

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