CD 1: (78:12)
PIANO
SERGEI TANEYEV† (1856-1915)
1. Mozart: Fantasie in C Minor, K. 396 2:44
1891; (C143) Russia
JOSEF HOFMANN (1876-1957)
2. Anton Rubinstein: Contredanse A, no. 3 from Le Bal, op. 14* 1:22
24 December 1895 o.s.; (C139) Moscow
3. Anton Rubinstein: Contredanse B, no. 3 from Le Bal, op. 14* 1:28
24 December 1895 o.s.; (C139) Moscow
4. Wagner-Brassin: Magic Fire Music from Die Walkure 3:17
10 February 1896 o.s.; (C140) Moscow
5. Mendelssohn: Song Without Words, op. 38, no. 5, “Passion”* 2:15
Date unknown o.s.; (C137) Russia
ANNA ESSIPOVA§ (1851-1914)
6. Godard: Gavotte in G, op. 81, no. 2 2:19
15 November 1898 o.s.; (C136) Apartment of Julius Block, Russia
PAUL PABST† (1854-1897)
7. Chopin: Nocturne in E, op. 62, no. 2 3:46
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C121) Moscow
8. Chopin-Pabst: Waltz in D-flat, op. 64, no. 1, “Minute” 1:48
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C122) Moscow
9. Schumann: Carnaval, op. 9: “Chopin” 1:01
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C122) Moscow
10. Schumann: Carnaval, op. 9: “Estrella” 0:34
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C122) Moscow
11. Tchaikovsky-Pabst: Paraphrase on Sleeping Beauty, op. 66 3:23
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C124) Moscow
12. Pabst: Papillons 2:13
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C125) Moscow
13. Chopin-Pabst: Mazurka in D, op. 33, no. 2 1:34
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C125) Moscow
14. Chopin-Pabst: Mazurka in D, op. 33, no. 2 2:59
12 February 1895 o.s.; (C123)1 Moscow
ANTON ARENSKY† (1861-1906)
15. Arensky: Improvisation in E-flat 2:54
24 November 1892 o.s.; (C112) Russia
16. Arensky: Improvisation in A 2:31
24 November 1893 o.s.; (C120) Russia
17. Arensky: Nocturne in D-flat, no. 3 from 24 Morceaux Characteristiques, op. 36 2:33
25 November 1894 o.s.; (C114) Moscow
18. Arensky: Intermezzo in F Minor, no. 12 from 24 Morceaux Characteristiques, op. 36 0:53
25 November 1894 o.s.; (C114) Moscow
19. Arensky: Consolation in D, no. 5 from 24 Morceaux Characteristiques, op. 36 2:17
Date not specified; (C115) Russia
20. Arensky: Le ruisseau dans la foret in G, no. 15 from 24 Morceaux Characteristiques, op. 36 3:03
20 December 1894 o.s.; (C109) Moscow
21. Arensky: Ioniques, no. 3 from Essais sur les Rythmes Oublies, op. 28 1:36
20 December 1894 o.s.; (C119) Moscow
22. Arensky: Strophe Alceene, no. 5 from Essais sur les Rythmes Oublies, op. 28 1:37
20 December 1894 o.s.; (C119) Moscow
23. Arensky: An der Quelle in A, op. 46, no. 1 3:08
12 April 1899 o.s.; (C117) Russia
24. Arensky: Unidentified composition 3:30
12 April 1899 o.s.; (C107) Russia
SANDRA DROUCKER§ (1876-1944)
25. Arensky: Etude in F-sharp, no. 13 from 24 Morceaux Characteristiques, op. 36 2:42
18 February 1898 o.s.; (C135) Russia
26. Chopin: Prelude in F-sharp Minor, op. 28, no. 8 2:19
16 September 1898 o.s.; (C134) Russia
VLADIMIR WILSCHAW† (1868-1957)
27. Godard: En Courant in G-flat, no. 1 from 6 Morceaux, op. 53 1:49
Ca. 1890s; (C144) Russia
EGON PETRI (1881-1962)
28. “Free Improvisation”* 3:02
October 1923; (C106) Vevey, Switzerland
29. Unidentified composition 2:46
October 1923; (C104) Vevey, Switzerland
30. Unidentified composition 1:22
October 1923; (C105) Vevey, Switzerland
31. Unidentified composition 1:56
October 1923; (C105) Vevey, Switzerland
PAUL JUON† (1872-1940)
32. Juon: Variation 4 from the second movement of Sonata for Violin and Piano, op. 7 2:12
26 February 1911; (C162) Germany
LEONID KREUTZER (1884-1953)
33. Liadov: Etude in F, op. 37* 1:41
1915; (C141) Germany
34. Chopin: Mazurka in G Minor, op. 67, no. 2 1:10
1915; (C141) Germany
35. Juon: Humoresque in F, no. 3 from 6 Klavierstucke, op. 12* 2:29
February (?) 1915; (C158) Grunewald, Germany
CD 2: (76:03)
LEONID KREUTZER and PAUL JUON†
1. Juon: Tanzrhythmen, op. 41, no. 3 (Allegretto grazioso) 1:30
1915; (C159) Germany
2. Juon: Tanzrhythmen, op. 41, no. 2 (Vivace molto) 1:15
1915; (C159) Germany
SERGEI TANEYEV† and LEO CONUS† (1871-1944)
3. Leo Conus: Suite for Piano Four-Hands 4:12
14 December 1893 o.s.; (C126) Russia
SERGEI TANEYEV† and PAUL PABST†
Arensky: Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, op. 23 (“Silhouettes”):
4. No. 1: “Le Savant” 2:12
14 December 1892 o.s.; (C127) Moscow
5. No. 3: “Polichinelle” 3:18
14 December 1892 o.s.; (C111) Moscow
6. No. 4: “Le Reveur” 3:27
14 December 1892 o.s.; (C130) Moscow
INSTRUMENTAL
JULES CONUS (1869-1942)†, violin
7. Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, op. 20, no. 1 1:06
4 October 1892 o.s.; (C191) Russia
With unidentified pianist
8. Bach: Partita No. 3, in E, BWV 1006 - Minuet 1 1:26
4 October 1892 o.s.; (C191) Russia
9. Chopin-Sarasate: Nocturne in E-flat, op. 9, no. 2, 3:53
7 April 1894 o.s.; (C189) Russia
With Paul Juon, piano
ANTON ARENSKY†, piano; JAN HRIMALY† (1844-1915), violin; and ANATOLY BRANDUKOV (1856-1930), cello:
Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, op. 32
10. First movement - Allegro moderato 4:39
10 December 1894 o.s.; (C42) Russia
11. Second movement - Scherzo: Allegro molto 3:27
10 December 1894 o.s.; (C43) Russia
12. Third movement - Elegie: Adagio 3:30
10 December 1894 o.s.; (C44) Russia
JASCHA HEIFETZ (1901-1987), violin and WALDEMAR LIACHOWSKY (1874-1958), piano
13. Cui: Orientale, from Kaleidoscope, op. 50* 2:51
4 November 1912; (C192) Grunewald, Germany
14. Cui: Orientale, from Kaleidoscope, op. 50* 2:57
4 November 1912; (C193) Grunewald, Germany
15. Mozart-Auer: Gavotte in G, from Idomeneo* 2:49
4 November 1912; (C194) Grunewald, Germany
16. Popper-Auer: Etude, op. 55, no. 1 “Spinnlied”* 2:37
4 November 1912; (C195) Grunewald, Germany
17. Kreisler: Schon Rosmarin* 2:23
4 November 1912; (C197) Grunewald, Germany
EDDY BROWN (1895-1974), violin and JULIUS BLOCK† (1858-1934), piano
18. Tartini-Kreisler: Variations on a theme of Corelli 2:58
27 December 1914; (C200) Grunewald, Germany
19. Kreisler: La Chasse in the style of Cartier* 2:35
27 December 1914; (C211) Grunewald, Germany
20. Kreisler: Andantino in the style of Martini* 2:55
6 December 1914 [per announcement]; (C207) Grunewald, Germany
21. Kreisler: Liebesleid* 3:10
6 December 1914 [per announcement]; (C202) Grunewald, Germany
22. Haydn-Burmester: Minuet in F, from Symphony No. 96 3:05
27 December 1914; (C209) Grunewald, Germany
23. Beethoven-Burmester: Minuet No. 2 in G, 167, WoO 10 3:04
27 December 1914; (C212) Grunewald, Germany
24. Schumann-Auer: Vogel als Prophet, from Waldscenen, op. 82 3:10
27 December 1914; (205) Grunewald, Germany
25. Juon: Berceuse, op. 28, no. 3* 2:58
27 December 1914; (C210) Grunewald, Germany
JOSEPH PRESS (1881-1924), cello and MICHAEL PRESS (1872-1938), violin
26. Handel-Halvorsen: Passacaglia in G Minor, from Harpsichord Suite No. 7, HWV 432* 2:58
Recording date unknown; (C198)
CHORAL
THE CHOIR OF THE SYNODICAL SCHOOL OF MOSCOW, chorus, with unidentified conductor
27. Rachmaninoff: Spiritual Concert 1:38
12 December 1893 o.s.; (C40)2 Hall of the Synodical School of Moscow
CD 3: (79:09)
VOCAL
MADAMOISELLE NIKITA (LOUISA MARGARET NICHOLSON)† (1872-unknown), soprano and PYOTR SCHUROVSKY† (1850-1908), piano
1. Donizetti: Quando rapito, from Lucia di Lammermoor 2:57
19 February 1890 o.s.; (C62) St. Petersburg
2. Verdi: Ernani, involami, from Ernani 3:12
22 November 1891 o.s.; (C63) Moscow
3. Composer unidentified: La Zingara 2:20
19 February 1890 o.s.; (C59) St. Petersburg
4. Composer unidentified: At the Fountain 2:29
19 February 1890 o.s.; (C60) St. Petersburg
5. Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat, op. 9, no. 2, arranged for voice and piano 3:02
22 November 1891 o.s.; (C61) Moscow
VASILY SAMUS† (1849-1903), tenor and unidentified pianist
6. Dargomizhsky: I am in love, my maiden, my beauty 1:33
15 February 1890; (C74) the Hall of the St. Petersburg Conservatory
7. Rubinstein: Longing, op. 27, no. 9 2:28
1890; (C75) Russia
8. Tchaikovsky: Don Juan’s Serenade, op. 38, no. 1 2:32
1890; (C77), Block’s Apartment, Moscow
ADELE BORGHI† (1860-unknown), mezzo-soprano and unidentified pianist
9. Bizet: Habanera from Carmen 1:33
1891; (C67) Russia
MARIA KLIMENTOVA-MUROMTZEVA† (1857-1946), soprano and SERGEI TANEYEV†, piano
10. Bizet: Pastorale 2:40
4 February 1891 o.s.; (C65) Moscow, History Museum’s main lecture hall
11. Tchaikovsky: Do not leave me!, no. 4 from 6 Romances, op. 27 2:48
5 February 1891 o.s.; (C66) Moscow, History Museum’s main lecture hall
12. Unidentified composition 0:47
4 February 1891 o.s.; (C64) Moscow, History Museum’s main lecture hall
13. Schumann: Widmung, no.1 from Myrthen, op. 25 2:06
4 February 1891 o.s.; (C64) Moscow, History Museum’s main lecture hall
EUGENIA JURJEVNA WERDAN (dates unknown)†, mezzo-soprano and unidentified pianist
14. Grieg: Ich liebe dich, op. 5, no. 3 1:25
14 November 1892 o.s; (C52) Moscow
15. Cui: Mai, no. 7 from Musical Pictures, op. 15 1:48
14 November 1892 o.s; (C52) Moscow
16. Tchaikovsky: Legend, no. 5 from 16 Songs for Children, op. 54 3:25
14 November 1892 o.s.; (C55) Moscow
NIKOLAI FIGNER (1857-1918), tenor and unidentified pianist
17. Cui: I remember the evening 2:04
31 March 1891 o.s.; (C88) Russia
MARIA IVANOVNA GUTHEIL (dates unknown)†, soprano and unidentified pianist
18. Rubinstein: Sail 2:12
10 January 1894 o.s.; (C68) Moscow, Physics Lecture Hall, Moscow University
19. Davydov: And night, and love, and moon 2:49
10 January 1894 o.s.; (C69) Moscow, Physics Lecture Hall, Moscow University
20. Rubinstein: Longing, op. 27, no. 9 2:46
10 January 1894 o.s.; (C70) Moscow, Physics Lecture Hall, Moscow University
LAVRENTII DONSKOI† (1857 or 1858-1917), tenor and unidentified pianist
21. Rimsky-Korsakov: Berendey’s cavatina from The Snow Maiden 2:42
8 November 1894 o.s.; (C86) Russia
22. Rubinstein: O pechal I toska from Nero 3:26
8 November 1894 o.s.; (C85) Russia
EVGENY DOLININ† (1873-1918), tenor and unidentified pianist
23. Wagner: In fernem Land from Lohengrin 3:40
10 December 1898 o.s.; (C93) Block residence, assumed St. Petersburg
THERESE LESCHETIZKAYA-DOLININA† (1873-1956), soprano and unidentified pianist
24. Unidentified composition 1:32
26 November 1898 o.s.; (C97) St. Petersburg
25. Godard: Chanson de Florian 1:36
26 November 1898 o.s.; (C97) St. Petersburg
ELIZAVETA LAVROVSKAYA† (1845-1919), soprano and unidentified pianist
26. Tchaikovsky: Lullaby in a Storm, no. 10 from 16 Songs for Children, op. 54 2:33
Recording date unknown; (C51) Russia
27. Unidentified composition 3:16
10 March 1892 o.s.; (C50) Russia
ELENA GERHARDT (1883-1961), mezzo-soprano and ARTHUR NIKISCH (1855-1922), piano
28. Brahms: Blinde Kuh, no. 1 from [8] Lieder und Gesange, op. 58* 1:41
16 September 1911; (C100) Announced Berlin, but presumed to be Grunewald
29. Schubert: Wohin? no. 2 from Die schone Mullerin 2:11
16 September 1911; (C101) Grunewald, Germany
SPOKEN WORD
30. ELENA GERHARDT and ARTHUR NIKISCH 1:34
16 December 1911; (C352) Germany
31. LEO TOLSTOY (1828-1910) 4:13
14 February 1895 o.s.; (C247) Russia
32. LEO TOLSTOY. With Countess Sofia Andreevna Tolstaya (Wife, 1844-1919), Tatiana L’vovna Tolstaya-Sukhotina (Daughter, 1864-1950), and Tatiana Mikhailovna Sukhotina-Albertini (Granddaughter, 1905-1996) 2:37
14 February 1895 o.s.; (C245) Russia (Tolstoy and his wife)
2 November 1927; (C245) Vevey, Switzerland (Tolstoy’s daughter and granddaughter)
33. PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY† (1840-1893) and ANTON RUBINSTEIN† (1829-1894). With Elizaveta Lavrovskaya, Vasily Ilyich Safonov (1852-1918), Alexandra Ivanovna Hubert (1850-1937) and Julius Block 1:10
4-10 January 1890 o.s.3; (C283) Moscow
1 Cylinder 123 is not part of the collection at the Pushkin House. This track comes from a cylinder in the possession of the Antique Phonograph Monthly, which purchased it at auction along with other personal items of Block. We firmly believe this is Cylinder 123 listed in Block’s catalogue of cylinders, the “Phonogrammothek.”
2 This cylinder is not part of the collection at the Pushkin House. This track comes from a cylinder in the possession of the Antique Phonograph Monthly. Based on Block’s catalogue of cylinders, the “Phonogrammothek” this cylinder could be numbers 39, 40, or 41.
3 This cylinder does not contain an announcement and a date was not provided by the Institute of Russian Literature. The date indicated is based on the findings of P.E. Veidman, in her article, “P.I. Tchaikovsky. The Forgotten and the New” from “Vol. 2 Almanac” Tchaikovsky House-Museum in Klin.
Some additional Block cylinders exist. The producers chose the cylinders to be included in this set based on the quality of the recording and the importance of the performer.
“o.s.” (old style) refers to Julian Calendar dating
Translations of the spoken portion of the cylinders may be found in Appendix 2, beginning on page 60.
Dates spoken in Russian assumed to be o.s.
† Only known recordings by this artist, although additional Block cylinders may exist.
§ Only other known “recordings” by this artist are piano rolls
* Only known recording of this work by this artist
Producer: John and John Anthony Maltese
Project Coordinators: Gregor Benko and Scott Kessler
Audio Conservation: Ward Marston
Audio Assistance: Dimitrios Antsos, Raymond Edwards, and J. Richard Harris
Photographs: Girvice Archer, Gregor Benko, Vivienne Christine Block, Institute of Russian Literature, Allen Koenigsberg, John and John Anthony Maltese, Charles Mintzer, and Barbara Tancil
Booklet Design: Takeshi Takahashi
Translations: Charles Brand, Paulina Anderson-Dinitz, Marion Farber, Carsten Fischer, Margarita Glebov, Stephen Lehmann, Stephane Puille, and Hansjakob Werlen
Musical identification, booklet proofing, and biographical information: Stephen R. Clarke, Frank Cooper, Francis Crociata, Ueli Falett of the Internationale Juon Gesellschaft, Neal Kurz, Farhan Malik, Donald E. Manildi, Jay Reise, Gordon Rumson, and Jonathan Summers
Financial assistance: Association for Recorded Sound Collections; Davyd Booth; Henry Fogel; the University of Georgia’s Office of Vice President for Research; Peter Greenleaf; and the Estate of John Stratton, Stephen R. Clarke, Executor
While recording in Russia, help provided by: Members of the Phonogram Archive of the Institute of Russian Literature: Dr. Nicolai Nikolaevich Skatov, (Director of the Institute of Russian Literature and Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences); Yuri Ivanovitch Marchenko (musicologist, Head of the Phonogram Archive); Vladimir Pavlovitch Schiff (engineer); Alexander Yurievitch Kastrov (musicologist); Translators: Yelena Pavlovna Frensis (Folk Department Assistant); Yelena Senkevitch (musicologist/consultant)
Special assistance: Bibliothekarin: Institut fur Musikwissenschaft, Bern, Switzerland: Frances Maunder, Anselm Gerhard; Edison National Historic Site, West Orange, New Jersey: Gerald Fabris; Ethnologisches Museum, Phonogramm-Arkiv, Berlin, Germany: Susanne Ziegler; the New York Public Library: Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, New York, New York: Sara Velez; Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut: Richard Warren
Marston is indebted to Galina Kopytova, the Jascha Heifetz biographer, who told the producers of this set about the existence of the Block cylinders and laid the groundwork for their transfer.
Marston would like to extend a special thanks to Gregor Benko and John Maltese, whose tireless and good-natured help spanning several years have made this extensive project not only possible, but pleasurable.
text by marston
