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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This CD was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Kapralova Society and
Koch Records and the dedicated efforts of Virginia Eskin, Susan Napodano DelGiorno, and Karla Hartl.
Recorded in July 2007 at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase, New York.
Performed by
Virginia Eskin and Stephanie Chase
Produced by
Susan Napodano DelGiorno
Engineered by
Silas Brown
Liner notes by
Karla Hartl
Press release
This project was encouraged and financially assisted by the Kapralova Society.
Please note that the music recorded on this compact disc is in print and can be purchased directly from its publishers.
Click here for the complete discography of Kapralova's music.
Virginia Eskin, a California native and long-time Boston resident, is a remarkably versatile solo pianist and chamber player, known for both standard classical repertoire and ragtime. A long-time champion of the works of American and European women composers, she has recently created and hosted 'First Ladies of Music,' a 13-program radio series sponsored by Northeastern University and produced by WFMT Chicago, carried by over 100 radio stations in the United States and abroad.
Stephanie Chase resides in New York City. Concert tours in twenty-five countries have brought Stephanie Chase international recognition and include appearances as soloist with the world's most distinguished orchestras, among which are the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, London Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony. Recordings by Ms. Chase have been awarded the highest possible ratings by Cambridge University Press and BBC Music Magazine, featured by Classic CD as 'Record of the Month' and selected by Stereophile as a 'Record to Die For.'

The Kapralova Society is a non-profit arts organization based in Toronto, Canada. Founded by Karla Hartl in 1998, the society's mission is to promote interest in Kapralova and other women in music. We encourage and support recordings and print editions of Kapralova's music, and seek to build awareness of women's contributions to musical life through our online resources.
For more information about our projects please visit the society's website.
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Vitezslava Kapralova: Music for Piano | Piano & Violin
Koch Records KIC-CD-7742 (2008). Also available from amazon.com, cduniverse.com, hbdirect.com, ArkivMusic.com, cdmusic.cz and others.
April Preludes, op. 13. Piano solo (8'50")
- Prelude I: Allegro ma non troppo
- Prelude II: Andante
- Prelude III: Andante semplice
- Prelude IV: Vivo
Legend, op. 3a. Violin and piano (6'50") world premiere
Burlesque, op. 3b. Violin and piano (4'10") world premiere
Five Compositions for Piano, op. 1. Piano solo (12') world premiere
- I. Maestoso
- II. Cantabile
- III.Andante con moto
- IV. Tempo di menuetto
- V. Tempo di marcia funebre
Elegy (1939) Violin and piano (3'35") world premiere
Sonata Appassionata, op. 6. Piano solo (17') world premiere
- I. Maestoso
- II. Theme and Variations
- Variation 1: Piu mosso
- Variation 2: Scherzando
- Variation 3: Con moto
- Variation 4: Vivace
- Variation 5: Largo
- Variation 6: Vivo (Fugue)
Variations sur le Carilon de l'Eglise St-Etienne-du-Mont, op. 16. Piano solo (8'30") world premiere
- I. Piu vivo
- II. Allegretto
- III.Lento ma non troppo
- IV. Quasi etude vivo
- V. Choral
- VI. Allegro. Coda
Little Song (1936). Piano solo (1'30") world premiere
courtesy of allmusic.com
From reviews:
If you are looking for highly sophisticated piano music rich in texture, clarity and depth, look no further.
Aaron Green, About.com
The piano and violin-and-piano music here is richly melodic, highly chromatic, and bursting with invention.
Jack Sullivan, American Record Guide.
Kapralova’s music displays a remarkable mastery of form and harmony, and radiates youthful spontaneity, lyrical tenderness, and passionate intensity.
Edith Eisler, Strings Magazine
Kaprálová was one of the major female composers in history, despite her short time on earth; this Koch disc does her music considerable justice and serves as a strong introduction to Kaprálová's music.
Dave Louis, Allmusic.com.
The largest work here is a remarkable product of her 18th year, the ambitious 1933 Sonata appassionata , consisting of two big movements - a surging, roiling Maestoso followed by a cogent series of contrasting variations on a folk-like motif whose scope and diversity approach the symphonic. In fact, this could have served as the germ for a powerful orchestral opus.
Paul A. Snook, Fanfare Magazine
I have no doubt that this release will not only please Kapralova's enthusiasts but also add many others to her following.
Veroslav Nemec, Harmonie
This recording is an important milestone in Kaprálová's discography and testifies to the memory of a brilliant mid-twentieth century composer.
Book Worm, Amazon.com
The Legend and lively Burlesque of 1932 are works of amazing assurance for a 16 year old, with lyrical and rewarding writing for the violin. They are a joy to hear.
Greg Terian, Dvorak Society of Great Britain Newsletter
The recording is strong and the performances sensitive and completely committed.
Rob Barnett, MusicWeb.uk
Add this to your select discography of a composer whose early death deprived Czechoslovakia of a burgeoning talent.
Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb.uk
This recording has great value. It introduces listeners to the beautiful music of an overlooked composer in fine performances.
Paul Orgel, Classical Voice of New England
Dalla Koch alcuni brani significativi della compositrice ceca nella splendida interpretazione di Virginia Eskin affiancata da Stephanie Chase
Marco del Vaglio, Guide di Dada
Uit al haar muziek klinkt een uiterst krachtige stem, die trefzeker zegt wat zij te zeggen heeft.
Thea Derks, Radio Vara 4 (public broadcaster), The Netherlands
Kapralova's muzikale taal is zuiver en rijk.
Patricia Werner Leanse, OPZIJ
More reviews are available here.
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