Rimsky-Korsakov Quartet / Les Vendredis
Product Description
The "Beliayev Fridays" were a noticeable feature of St. Petersburg's music scene in the late 19th century. They were parties in the home of Mitrofan Petrovich Beliayev, a well-known patron of the arts, and were very well attended, with up to 70 people attending on some days. Mr. Beliayev himself played the viola during these events.
N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov and his followers were frequent attendees of "The Fridays". Guests from Moscow, including P.I. Tchaikovsky, S.I. Taneyev, A.N. Skryabin were cordially received at the parties. The music went on until the small hours. Notes have been preserved in which Mr. Beliayaev set down precisely the program of his musical parties. Usually, four or five quartets were performed, augmented with several chamber instrumental pieces and some piano music.
Compositions dedicated to celebration days, creative impromptus, and musical gifts were often a result of the joint efforts of composers of the Beliayev Circle. The Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet has produced this CD entitled "The Fridays", a collection of musical surprises and offerings that were presented at some of the parties.
N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov and his followers were frequent attendees of "The Fridays". Guests from Moscow, including P.I. Tchaikovsky, S.I. Taneyev, A.N. Skryabin were cordially received at the parties. The music went on until the small hours. Notes have been preserved in which Mr. Beliayaev set down precisely the program of his musical parties. Usually, four or five quartets were performed, augmented with several chamber instrumental pieces and some piano music.
Compositions dedicated to celebration days, creative impromptus, and musical gifts were often a result of the joint efforts of composers of the Beliayev Circle. The Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet has produced this CD entitled "The Fridays", a collection of musical surprises and offerings that were presented at some of the parties.
