No. 2 of 'Ten Chorale Preludes' by Mikael Tariverdiev / Микаэл Таривердиев Десять хоральных прелюди

Mikael Leonovich Tariverdiev (1931 – 96) was a prominent Soviet composer of Armenian descent. He’s most remembered for his scores to some 130 Soviet films including a number of cult movies. However, his musical output was much more wide-ranging including a hundred romances, four operas and a good deal of instrumental music, amongst which are a number of beautiful pieces for the organ. There’s a deep folk element to much of his music which evokes romance, love, struggle and grit: so it’s no surprise that he was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Russia in 1986. This performance is my own arrangement of this sumptuous piece (from a collection of ten chorale preludes), starting from an edition by the renowned Maurizio Machella, who has arranged an astounding array of lovely music for the organ. A mournful opening quickly leads into a truly gorgeous melody, underpinned with delicious, crunchy harmonies to create a hugely atmospheric piece. If you like this piece then you may be interested in Tariverdiev’s magnificent "The Cathedral" which I’ve also recorded on YouTube. Also my recordings of music by the wonderful Vladimir Vavilov. You can explore them all in my &playlist. Played by Paul Broadhurst on the historic “Father Willis” organ of Christ Church, Birkenhead, England. Recorded 27 October 2021 Thumbnail: A particularly wonderful photograph of the composer