With Benjamin Grosvenor having started his Wigmore Recital last week with three Kapustin studies, I wondered whether anyone else has tried playing any of Kapustin's works?

Probably like many, I first came across Kapustin through two Hyperion recordings by Steven Osborne and Marc-Andre Hamelin. I was immediately taken with his 24 Preludes Op.53 but a little dismayed when having bought the scores they turned out to be so difficult; I suppose that wasn't surprising given the calibre of both artists. Nevertheless, I'm trying to get my fingers around a couple of them.

The Sonatina Op.100 is one of his simplest piano works and was on one of the lists for grade 8 Trinity exam a couple of years back.

At our Prize Giving, a year ago last October, I played the Allemande and Sarabande from his Suite in the Old Style Op.28 to finish off a half-hour programme that began with:

Prelude and Gigue from Bach's English Suite No.4 and Partita Rhythmique by Gerard Hengeveld.

Any other Kapustin fans?

I dont know his music at all , but it could be the sort of stuff I like, so hope to listen to some soon !

Didn't know anything about him until two weeks ago, when my teacher played me something he's learning by Kapustin (Variations) - absolutely love it!!

Like Tom Piano, I've never heard of Kapustin until recently: I was early for my last piano lesson and the student before me was playing the Intermezzo from his Concert Etudes op.40. I later asked my teacher what it was and was told "something too challenging for you"

It's so refreshing to come across something so different - not having to be atonal - yet so aurally satisfying. Sheet music wasn't available just a couple of years ago but every time I visit Bkackwell's in Oxford, his works seem to be taking up more of the shelving. I have also a copy of his Sonata No.1, hoping to tackle some of No.2 but at the moment I'm concentrating on my Dip' programme, so I've had to put these on one side (for a treat, if/when I pass!). The sonatas are well above DipABRSM but no harm in having a go! His pieces require a lot of work and I wish I had been at the Wigmore recital to watch Ben play those three studies.

I presume, fsharpminor, that everyone was happy with the altered programme. What did you think of his Liszt Sonata?

Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you're referring to ????

Apologies, fsharpminor. On a previous thread someone had mentioned that they had attended last Monday's Wigmore recital, where Ben Grosvenor had been a late change of artist. I couldn't remember who had mentioned it and thought it might have been you, recalling that the post had been made by a piano authority, such as yourself. Perhaps it was Digby? (I didn't think it was Mad Tom though.)

Ben played three studies by Kapustin, the Liszt Sonata, Chopin nocturne (posthumous in C# minor) and Chopin's 3rd scherzo. I was hoping for an informed critique on his Liszt performance.

Sorry to have left you somewhat bewildered!

Not to worry !

I also have the Hamelin recording and a CD of Kapustin playing his 24 preludes. I bought the book, but as yet have'nt really comitted myself to learning any. They're not easy, but, i'd definitely love to learn a few. The first prelude is lethally difficult.

I didn't start there but with Nos 23 and 17. Realistically, my first goal though ought to be to play all of the Suite in the Old Style, having got to grips with two movements with relative success. As with the preludes, even when the notes have been learned, ideally you want to be able to deliver these works with aplomb and a degree of nonchalance; that's how the Hamelin and Osborne recordings come across.

Not claiming to be a piano authority but it was me that went to the performance in the Wigmore Hall last Monday and mentioned in another thread that Ben Grosvenor had played 3 studies by Kapustin. As for the Liszt, I'm certainly not an authority on that: Other than saying that I liked his performance of it and that it sounded emotionally mature as well as technically sparkling (though others may disagree) I can say no more.

As for Kapustin, my sister went to Blackwells about 18 months ago and asked them if they had anything that might be an interesting challenge for someone who was (as I was at the time) just passed Grade 8. They sold her his Toccatina, Op. 36, which was my Christmas Present that year. That was the first time I had heard of him: Growing on me fast though.