Nikolai Kapustin - Early Pieces Collection (1962-1982)

DISCLAIMER: All the rights belong to maestro Nikolai Kapustin - even of his unpublished pieces - as well as performances (also to A Bu's 2017 recordings - check his channel here: / @abu4064 .
This video's main intention is to spread Kapustin's compositional crafting to a greater audience, for them to better know his music
NIKOLAI KAPUSTIN - Early Phase's surviving recordings for big band and piano (1962-1982)
(00:00) Op.3 = Variations (1962)
(03:20) Op.6 = Rose-Marie Fantasia (1962)
(12:51) Op.8 = Toccata (1964)
(15:16) Op.10 = Big Band Sounds (1966)
(19:39) Op.12 = Aquarium Blues (1967)
(23:39) Op.14 = Piano Concerto No.2 (1972) (mvt.2 29:16 / mvt.3 34:34)
(39:12) Op.16 = Nocturne (1972)
(44:02) Op.19 = Étude (1974)
(47:40) Op.20 = Nocturne (1974)
(51:27) Op.21 = Minuet (1974)
(58:25) Op.24 = March (1975)
(1:00:54) Op.25 = Concert Rhapsody (1976)
(1:10:58) Op.26 = Daybreak (1976)
(1:14:32) Op.34 = Meridian (1982)
(1:18:22) Op.35 = Closed Curve (1982)
BONUS:
(1:21:02) Op.3 = Variations (1962) [2017 PERFORMANCE]
(1:24:21) Op.19 = Etude (1974) [2017 PERFORMANCE]
*[????] means that its recording wasn't from the piece's première. Ex: 2017 (A Bu's performances) and 1980 (Tchaikovsky Hall performance)
*[=] means that it has both original and 2017 recordings (thus making the "Extra" part of this video with the new recordings)
*I didn't put a new recording of Op.14, so as not to make this video even bigger... as you can easily find lots of post-2010 performances of Concerto no.2 via internet
*Op.27 wasn't included, for it being a piano solo piece
*Op.30 (Two-mvt. Concerto) wasn't included, for it doesn't having a published orchestral recording [I only found a two-pianos performance of it]
These early pieces sound quite different of what we're used to listen from Kapustin (all-jazzy stuff). Here, we have pieces designed for big bands, which really sounds more vintage than his most modern pieces. Maybe the 60's-ish audio quality contributes to that.
Anyways, enjoy Kapustin's early pieces, most of them have only these recordings as a proof of existence: their sheet music are mislaid, with exception of the pieces performed by A Bu in 2017; and few other pieces from the list with found score and which got published
I consider that Kapustin has 3 main compositional phases:
1st (1957-1980, 1982) as a big band composer and also as a concert pianist. It's his peak
2nd (1983-1993) as a composer of piano concertos (last pieces with piano + concert band) and piano sonatas
3rd (1994-2017) as a full piano composer, writing only for piano and eventually for small chamber groups
[p.s: Closed Curve is the most "disco" music with Opus number you'll ever listen]

[@keyboardtek]

I am a rock, funk, and jazz keyboardist who composes electronic music. I have been adding classical styles to my crazy compositions. I just discovered Nikolai today and it has inspired me to try a new direction of musical fusion. Great upload!

[@RaymondDoerr]

Thanks for the wonderful music. Rest in Peace Kapustin.

[@improvy]

I love so much his musicality!! It was such a honor, that we could hear his music... Rest in peace dear my music hero!

[@davidxpopescu]

One of the most extraordinary uploads on KZbin

[@Nooticus]

Strongly agree! This video can never be removed, I KEEP coming back to it!

[@davidxpopescu]

​@@Nooticusyeah, really hope it doesn't get taken down anytime soon!

[@leoinsf]

Kapustin's music is so totally American in sound that it is hard to understand that he was a Russian who lived in Russia most of his life. Russia should be proud that they are performing their native son's jazz-oriented music while America is "sitting on its hands" when it comes to this composer's music. Kapustin will never die. His music represents energy and the American roots of jazz and will never die. I hope America starts recognizing this amazing composer and his enormous compositional output. Right now, there is no recognition at all. When have you heard an American orchestra perform one of his concertos? When have you heard an American pianist perform one of his piano works, let alone one his amazing piano concertos. The world should be ashamed for ignoring this genius!!! Shame!

[@9827george]

I agree to most of what you write, but I can hear strong russian influences eg. from Scriabine and Prokofiev in Kapustin's music in his main works as the 20 sonatas for piano and the various concertos. He is actually the most convincing link between US jazz tradition and the Russia of modern classical composition!

[@stonefireice6058]

One of the best performers of Kapustin’s music is Frank Dupree- German pianist, conductor and composer. His trio can be heard on KZbin and he has several CDs. The other one I also found on KZbin- A BU. Even Khatia Buniatishvili and Yuja Wang are playing his concertos, definitely popularizing Kapustin.

[@ichdiewurst6153]

Ever heard of pOlItIcS🤡

[@michigandersea3485]

I totally disagree. Russian folk melodies are everywhere in Kapustin's work.

[@opellouisedalsh5192]

🆒️Comment! Perhaps 'American'🎼 is more Russian than ever imagined possible. 'America' is a baby, whereas Russia is more the age of adult.

[@Nooticus]

"p.s: Closed Curve is the most "disco" music with Opus number you'll ever listen" Very, very true :P

[@solarean]

damn thats some music to jam to for sure

[@firzaakbarpanjaitan9408]

I literally laughed out loud when the first note hits haha.

[@DoubleJ-ui3rl]

나의 어린시절을 지탱해준 니콜라이 카푸스틴.. 다음 생에서도 그의 음악을 들을 수 있기를.. RIP

[@zumapiano5712]

12:52 I really love No.8-Toccata! It makes me headbang

[@kampfsauprutal]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[@Meow-ny6hg]

Love this! Thank you for making this amazing video 👍

[@Neon-Geco]

What a treat! I am delighted

[@antonijaabashnik7447]

Шедевры! Спасибо за запись!

[@cyw225]

Good Music is Good Anyway, regardless what style it is in, Kapustin's Music derserves much more recognition and promotion ! Thanks for Sharing.

[@goldberg72]

Peccato ti abbiamo scoperto tardi .

[@Nooticus]

Truly a master in so many ways.

[@tarikeld11]

1:46 - 1:50 I don't know why but I love this little melody! Sounds like Coconut Mall xD

[@srthdrgjdutkdtyj]

precious

[@tarikeld11]

On Wikipedia there are some interesting pieces listened, I hope there are recordings existing somewhere... Like "The Forest Story Op. 15" or "Enigma Op. 23"

[@hlk8774]

시간이 지나도 변하지 않는 가치는 소중합니다

[@aspic59]

Kapustin may have been the Keith Emerson's teacher

[@9827george]

There is a Concerto for Orchestra op 30, ca. 1980. Has anyone heard of a recording (not a piano reduction but orchestral!)?

[@bloba6969]

TOCCATA IS GREAT

[@rpoc1231]

Meridian sounds exactly like a Russian pop song with no lyrics lol, the nocturnes are beautiful.

[@user-sergeioff]

역시 카푸스틴만한 노래가또없지

[@skittering]

has anyone been able to find any recording or sheet of his Piano Concerto 1? I can't believe he published it twice and there's no record!

[@skittering]

​@@eisernerchevalier5388 or maybe @FrankDuepree 👀?

[@bjornviir3333]

i think his sonata 1 op39 in 1984 is his finest work. very fast and hard.

[@bjornviir3333]

@@eisernerchevalier5388 have you tried playing it, i am half thru it, so many notes, fast tempo, one of the harderst pieces ive attempted, esp. the scherzo 3rd.

[@op-th1yx]

@@bjornviir3333 wait till you get to the fourth movement haha. That one is a killer

[@bjornviir3333]

@@op-th1yx yes i am learning the 4th now, never seen so many notes for under 10min. brutal, but its such a fun piece though.

[@op-th1yx]

@@bjornviir3333 yeah, the ending is one of my favourite moments in music history😼😸. It’s so acrobatic and all over the place!

[@bjornviir3333]

@@op-th1yx the 4th is spectacular from first note til end, i just wish it was a bit easier.

[@TheSokolover]

The timestamp for Op.10 should be 15:26

[@privateperson8289]

Awesome. What a pity about the sheet music, would kill to see the opus 8 Toccata :) anyone up for transcribing? :)

[@vivvpprof]

Surely the scores exist, it's just that they have to be brought into market by the copyright holder. Someone mentioned Kapustin's son, search him

[@AsrielKujo]

one day we'll find them 😔

[@bloba6969]

I want to try to play it ù

[@WEEBLLOM]

It has finally been published by schott!!!

[@VicenteMReyes-vs9nh]

Who is the pianist here? Is it Eisener Chevalier? or Dmitry Masleev?

[@thealtrik3051]

34:34

[@Nooticus]

When on earth did you get these rare recordings from?!!

[@user-le4sb8is4i]

I suppose that they were from the website of Kapustin's son's, I downloaded them too, years ago.

[@Nooticus]

@@user-le4sb8is4i Thank you for the answer. I see the Kapustin website is offline currently

[@Nooticus]

@@eisernerchevalier5388 Thank you for the lengthy answer, it was very informative! It is really great that more people (especially young people) like me seem to be getting into Kapustin's music now!

[@stonefireice6058]

@@eisernerchevalier5388 my greatest appreciation for such tremendous efforts on your part in collecting and putting out all Kapustin available on KZbin. With your efforts many, more young and not so young music lovers will have a great opportunity to love and appreciate his music. Being Russian, who loves not just classical, but Jazz, living in Moscow in my youth, I’m ashamed that I never heard Kapustin, and nobody new of him. I’m happy to see this is changing even there, behind the Iron curtain ( yes, it’s still there!).