ŒñA wonderful piece, but very difficult Œ_ only a few will be able to master it ŒƒŒî. Since this pronouncement by Nicolai Rubinstein, who nonetheless premiíÂred it with bravura, the work has unjustly been stuck with the label of ŒñunplayableŒî. The wild, almost demonic character of this Œñoriental fantasyŒî has certainly contributed to this reputation: through the use of Caucasian and Armenian folk idioms Balakirev calls forth a keyboardfirework that aroused the admiration even of the Titan Liszt. Our editi on provides todayŒÍs pianists with a musical text that is not only reliable and accurate, but also clear and well-organised.?
