Louise Farrenc - Air Russe Varié, op. 17

Performed by pianist Madelaine Jones. For more information about Madelaine, visit her website (http://www.madelainejones.co.uk) or her Facebook Artists' Page (https://www.facebook.com/madelainecla.... Piece: Air Russe Varié, op. 17 (1835) by Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) Currently BBC Radio Three's Composer of the Week, Louise Farrenc (neé Dumont) is a French composer who was renowned in her time and has since, sadly, been somewhat forgotten. She was an accomplished pianist, composer (she studied counterpoint and harmony with Anton Reicha) and pedagogue, holding a position at a piano professor at the Paris Conservatoire for 30 years. This particular piece, a set of variations for solo piano based on a Russian air, was praised by Robert Schumann in his 'Neue Zeitschrift Fur Musik', and consists of a prelude, a theme, eight variations and a finale, alternating between the popular 'brilliant' and more learned 'serious' style.