DESCRIPTION:
Anton Rubinstein (1829 - 1894), 2 Melodies, Op. 3 (1852)

Performed by Balazs Szokolay and Joseph Banowetz respectively

00:00 - No. 1 Melody in F major
04:00 - No. 2 Melody in B major

Rubinstein was 23 years old when he composed two Melodies Op.3. The work was undoubtedly Rubinstein's most well-known compositions, and while it may be easy to dismiss these salon pieces as mere pot-boilers, they contain many of the musical qualities that define Rubinstein at his best. The once-famous Melody in F is beautifully laid out for the keyboard, as the two thumbs play a simple melody inside the downbeat-offbeat pattern of the outer voices. A short chromatic transition passage leads to the return of the opening melody and a short, attractive coda. The Melody in B major provides a delicate contrast to its more famous companion. Here once again an elegant, long-breathed line is placed in the middle of the keyboard, surrounded by the gently pulsating outer voices.