Playing with Fire

SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY

Yudina’s legacy is served by many recordings, a large number of which can be accessed on YouTube. For readers unfamiliar with Yudina’s interpretations, I have put together a selected list of the most recent compact disc issues, which should be easily available. That said, the quick turnover of compact discs that are issued and then withdrawn makes it difficult to keep completely updated. I also include some other recordings of Yudina’s additional repertoire, not least her interpretations of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations and Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition, which remain among her most important achievements. While not in any way complete, the list I provide will give some idea of the scope of her repertoire and recording activity.

In the last couple of years, through the efforts of Alexei Lubimov and others, many of Yudina’s recordings from concert performances within the Soviet Union, East Germany and Poland have been rediscovered and are in the process of being released. These most recent recordings, including the new discoveries, are indicated at the beginning of the list.

Yudina was an artist who enjoyed recording in the studio, and liked to play right through works as if performing for a live audience, with complete involvement and passion in transmitting her ideas. Nevertheless, many of her recordings come from live concerts, with the inherent advantages and disadvantages of such a system. Moreover, one suspects that the pianos played by Yudina in studio and in concert were often not in good condition or properly tuned. The earlier recordings in particular often show distortion of pitch and sound. Recent reissues have improved the quality through remastering of the original vinyl or shellac versions. We should also remember that Yudina lived in the pre-digital recording age, and up until 1961 all her studio recordings were made in mono.

A Yudina discography is complicated to put together because many of the same works are issued on different labels in different countries, while the quality of the recordings varies enormously from label to label, from issue to issue. For those who wish to have access to a complete updated discography, including Yudina’s earliest shellac historical recordings and LPS, I suggest consulting the online discography compiled by the pianist and writer Jean-Pierre Collot: www.jeanpierrecollot.eu/maria-yudina/discography-of-maria-yudina/. His contribution to Yudina studies is of seminal importance, not only in the publication of his book Maria Youdina–Pierre Souvtchinsky: Correspondance et Documents (Contrechamps, 2020), but in his creation of a complete discography of Yudina’s recordings, which is ordered alphabetically by composer. Currently it is given in French, but will be translated into English in the near future.

Should any reader wish to consult an updated Yudina discography in Russian, I refer them to the volume of hitherto unknown correspondence entitled Ya Vsegda ischu i nakhozhu Novoe . . . Neizvestnaya perepiska Marii Yudinoi (I always search for and find the New . . . The Unknown Correspondence of Maria Yudina), edited by M. Dorzdova, A. Lubimov and K. Zenkin. It will be available from March 2022, and will include an updated discography with complete lists of recordings ordered by chronology rather than composer.

Recent issues

Maria Yudina: Anniversary Edition. Melodiya MEL CD 1002590, 2019, boxed set of 10 compact discs.

CD 1: J.S. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, 17 Preludes and Fugues, Nos 1–6, 8–12, 17–19, 21, 22, 24, BWV 846–851, 853–857, 862–864, 866, 867, 869, live concert at Moscow Conservatory Small Hall, 4 November 1950 (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNl_vNVIpGM).

CD 2: J.S. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, 19 Preludes and Fugues, Nos 1–10, 12–16, 19, BWV 870–879, 881–885, 887, 889, 892, 893, live concert at Moscow Conservatory Small Hall, 4 December 1950.

CD 3: J.S. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, Nos 20, 23, 24, BWV 865, 868, 869; Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903. J.S. Bach/Liszt, Organ Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543. Liszt, Variations on Bach’s Cantata No.12, Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, S.180. Glazunov, Prelude and Fugue in D minor, Op.62. Studio recordings from the 1950s.

CD 4: Mozart, Sonata in D major, K.284; Sonata in A major, K.331 (live concert, 6 October 1951); Variations in D major on a theme by Duport, K.573 (recorded 1947 or 1948). Beethoven, 12 Variations in A major on a Russian Dance, WoO 71; 32 Variations in C minor on an Original Theme, WoO 80.

CD 5: Beethoven, Sonata No.5 in C minor, Op.10, no.1, recorded 3 May 1950; Sonata No.12 in A-flat major, Op.26, recorded in studio, 8 September 1958; Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90, recorded 1961; Sonata No.29 in A major, Op.101.

CD 6: Beethoven, Sonata No.29 in B-flat major, Op.106 (recorded 1952); Sonata No.32 in C minor, Op.111 (recorded 1958).

CD 7: Schubert, Four Impromptus, D.899; Four Impromptus, D.935. Schubert/Liszt, Am Meer, S.560. Studio recording 1964.

CD 8: Mussorgsky, Meditation (Album Leaf), A Tear, Rêverie, studio recording, 9 September 1949. Myaskovsky, Yellowed Leaves, from Op.31. Szymanowski, Variations, Op.3. Webern, Variations for piano, Op.27, live at Scriabin Museum, Moscow, 1961. Volkonsky, Musica Stricta (fantasia ricercata). Prokofiev, Chose en soi, Op.45a.

CD 9: Debussy, Sonata for cello and piano in D minor (with N. Shakovskaya). Prokofiev, Sonata for flute and piano, Op.94 (with N. Zaidel); Sonata for cello and piano, Op.119 (with L. Yevgrafov). Serocki, Sonatina for trombone and piano (with G. Khersonsky). Stravinsky, Circus Polka for a Young Elephant for two pianos (with M. Drozdova). Lutosławski, Paganini Variations for two pianos (with Y. Ponizovkin).

CD 10: Scriabin, 10 Preludes, from Op.11. Jolivet, three pieces from the cycle Mana. Stravinsky, Septet for piano, flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola and cello (with Leningrad musicians). Tschaikovsky, Concerto No.1, Op.23 (with National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, dir. N. Rakhlin).

Maria Yudina Plays Instrumental Sonatas by Hindemith. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0235, 2018, compact disc. This and the other MCR titles listed below are from a continuing series issued since 2018.

Hindemith, Sonatas for flute (with N. Zaidel), viola (with F. Druzhinin), double bass (with R. Azarkhin), horn (with V. Buyanovsky) and trombone (with G. Khesonsky).

Maria Yudina Plays Schumann. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0241, 2019, compact disc.

Schumann, Kreisleriana, Op.16; Des Abends, Op.12, no.1; Vogel als Prophet, Op.82, no.7; Fantasie in C major, Op.17.

Maria Yudina Plays Mozart. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0242/0243, 2019, 2 compact discs.

Mozart, Sonata in C minor, K.457; Sonata in A major, K.331; Sonata in A minor, K.310; Sonata in D major, K.284; Fantasia in D minor, K.397; Fantasia in C minor, K.475; Sonata for violin and piano in A major, K.526 (with M. Kozolupova); Concerto No.23 in A major, K.488 (with State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR, dir. A. Gauk).

Maria Yudina: Recital in Moscow, October 20, 1954. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0244/0245, 2020, 2 compact discs.

Beethoven, Sonata No.17, Op.31, no.2; Sonata No.26, Op.81a; Sonata No.32, Op.111. Brahms, Sonata No.3 in F minor, Op.5. J.S. Bach, Organ Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543; Italian concerto, BWV 971, 2nd movement. Brahms, Waltz in A-flat major, Op.39, no.15. Prokofiev, ‘Juliet the Young Girl’, from 10 pieces from Romeo and Juliet, arranged for piano, Op.75.

Maria Yudina: Rediscovered Recordings. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0270, 2020, compact disc.

Mozart, Sonata for violin and piano in F major, K.377 (with M. Kozolupova). Busoni, Duettino concertante, a reworking of the finale from Mozart’s K.459 for two pianos (with G. Kogan). Mozart, Fantasia in D minor, K.397; Fantasia in C minor, K.475; one movement from Sonata in C minor, K.457. Schubert, Impromptus, D.899, nos 2 and 4; Impromptu, D.935, no.2. Mozart, Sonata in C minor, final movement, K.457.

Maria Yudina Plays Bach: Live in Leipzig and Moscow 1950 & 1956. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0280, 2020, compact disc.

J.S. Bach, Toccata in C minor, BWV 911, in two performances; Four Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier; Concerto No.1 in D minor for piano and orchestra, BWV 1052 (with All-Union Radio Symphony Orchestra, dir. K. Sanderling).

Maria Yudina: Polish Diary. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0281, 2020, compact disc.

Beethoven, Concerto No.5 in E-flat major, Op.73 (with the Symphony Orchestra of the Silesian Philharmonia, dir. V. Smetachek). Shostakovich, Preludes and Fugues in B minor and D minor, from Op.87. Lutosławski, Bukoliki. Serocki, Suite of Preludes. Chopin, Nocturne in C-sharp minor.

Maria Yudina Plays Russian Music of the XXth Century. Moscow Conservatory Records SMCCD 0282, 2021, compact disc.

Prokofiev, Chose en soi, Op.45a; Montagues and Capulets: Romeo Before Parting. Shaporin, Piano Sonata No.2 in F-sharp minor, Op.7. Sviridov, Partita No.1 in F minor. Kochurov, Adagio in G major, Op.5. Volkonsky, Musica Stricta (fantasia ricercata).

Other recommended recordings

Historical Russian Archives: Maria Yudina Edition. Brilliant Classics 8909, 2009, boxed set of 8 compact discs. Many of the CDs repeat repertoire from recordings available in the Melodiya and Moscow Conservatoire recordings cited above. I highlight those CDs offering different repertoire.

CD 4: Brahms, Rhapsody in G minor, Op.79, no.2; Intermezzo in A minor, Op.116, no.2; Three Intermezzi, Op.117; Six pieces for piano, Op.118, nos 1–4 and 6. Schubert, Three Impromptus.

CD 5: Taneyev, Piano Quartet in E major, Op.20; Piano Quintet in G minor, Op.30 (with the Beethoven Quartet).

CD 6: Prokofiev, Visions fugitives, Op.22, and instrumental sonatas.

CD 8: Hindemith, Sonata for viola and piano, Op.11, no.4. Honegger, Sonata for viola and piano, H.28 (with F. Druzhinin). Shaporin, Piano Sonata No.2 in F-sharp minor, Op.7. Martinu, various pieces. Jolivet, three pieces from the cycle Mana.

Maria Yudina: J.S. Bach, The Goldberg Variations (20–25). Melodiya MEL CD 10 01874, 2011, compact disc. Studio recording 1968.

More Yudina recordings

The Legacy of Maria Yudina. Vista Vera, 2004–15, 18 compact discs issued as volumes. Vol.2: Krenek, Piano Sonata No.2, Op.59. Hindemith, Sonata for two pianos (with M. Drozdova).

Vol.13: Mussorgsky, three pieces from Boris Godunov (transcribed for piano by A. Kamensky). Medtner, Sonata-Triad, Op.11. Prokofiev, Visions fugitives, Op.22. Vol.14: Mussorgsky, Pictures from an Exhibition. Shostakovich, Piano Sonata No.2 in B minor, Op.61.

Vol.15: Stravinsky, Concerto for two pianos (with V. Derevyanko); Duo Concertant for violin and piano (with V. Pikayzen); Sonata for two pianos (with M. Drozdova).

Grandi opere suonate da Marija Judina. Edizioni RC, 2010, compact disc. J.S. Bach, Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903. Mozart, Concerto No.23 in A major, K.488 (with State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR, dir. A. Gauk). Brahms, Three Intermezzi, Op.117. Mussorgsky, Pictures from an Exhibition. Stravinsky, Piano Sonata.

Russian Piano School: Maria Yudina. Venezia CDVE00515, 2013, boxed set of 16 compact discs. CD 3: J.S. Bach, The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988.

CD 9: Beethoven, Piano Sonata No.16 in G major, Op.31, no.1; Piano Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31, No.2; Piano Sonata No.22 in F major, Op.54.

CD 11: Beethoven, Piano Sonata No.32 in C minor, Op.111; Piano Concerto No.4, Op.58, with Brahms cadenzas (with Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, dir. K. Sanderling).

CD 12: Beethoven, Piano Concerto No.5 in E major, Op.73 (with National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, dir. N. Rakhlin); Choral Fantasy, Op.80 (with BSO choir and radio orchestra, dir. S. Gorchakov).

CD 14: Schubert, Piano Sonata No.21 in B-flat major, D.960. Schumann, Fantasiestücke, Op.12.

CD 15: Brahms, Piano Sonata No.3 in F minor, Op.5; Waltz in A flat major, Op.39, no.15; Rhapsody in G minor, Op.79, no.2; Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op.24.

CD 16: Mussorgsky, Pictures from an Exhibition. Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No.1 in B minor, Op.23 (with National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, dir. N. Rakhlin).

Maria Yudina: A Great Russian Pianist. PragaDigitals PRD250342, 2016, compact disc. Beethoven, Variations and Fugue for piano in E-flat major, Op.35. Berg, Piano Sonata, Op.1. Bartók, eight pieces from Mikrokosmos. Stravinsky, Serenade in A major; Concerto for piano and wind instruments (with BSO radio orchestra, dir. G. Rozhdestvensky).

The Art of Maria Yudina. Scribendum SC813, 2018, boxed set of 26 compact discs. Unfortunately, the quality of the recording tends to be less good than on other labels. The date of recording given in the liner notes usually refers to the final date of editing, rather than the date of studio recording.

CD 4: Haydn, Piano Sonata in E-flat major, Hob.XVI.52, recorded 1951. Mozart, Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, K.466, with Beethoven cadenza, recorded 1948 (with BSO radio orchestra, dir. S. Gorchakov); Concerto No.23 in A major, K.488, recorded July 1947 (with State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR, dir. A. Gauk).

CD 10: Beethoven, Variations and Fugue for piano in E-flat major, Op.35; 33 Variations on a waltz for Anton Diabelli, Op.120. Recorded 1961.

CD 16: Schumann, Fantasiestücke, Op.12, recorded 1951; Vogel als Prophet, Op.82, no.7, recorded 1952. Schubert, Trout Quintet, D.667, recorded from a concert, 11 November 1960 (with members of the Beethoven Quartet, double bass V. Khomenko).

CD 18: Brahms, Piano Quartet No.2 in A major, Op.26, recorded 1968 (with members of the Beethoven Quartet). Stravinsky, Concerto for piano and wind instruments, recorded 1963 (with BSO radio orchestra, dir. G. Rozhdestvensky).

CD 21: Berg, Four pieces for clarinet and piano, Op.5. Hindemith, Sonata for clarinet and piano. Recorded 1966 (with L. Mikhailov).

CD 23: Bartók, eight pieces from Mikrokosmos, recorded 1963; Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano, recorded 1965 (with V. Pikayzen and L. Mikhailov); Sonata for two pianos and percussion, recorded 1962 (with V. Derevyanko, V. Snegiryov and R. Nikulin).