CÉSAR CUI (1835-1918): Suite No. 2, Op. 38 (arr. Cui), 12 Miniatures, Op. 20 (arr. Alexander Nikolayevich Schaefer [1866-1914] and Georgy Dütsch [1857-1891]), 7 Miniatures, Op. 39 (arr. Schaefer).

Description: Although counted as a member of “The Mighty Five”, Cui did not share their focus on Russian nationalism in his music, preferring instead the Romanticism of France and Germany presented with lyricism and sophisticated elegance and rich, diverse harmonies. Thus, while the suite for orchestra sounds like a concert piece in its four-hand version, the two sets of violin-and-piano Miniatures retain their intimate and comfortable salon style in their alternate clothing. Piano Duo Maria Ivanova & Alexander Zagarinsky.