Nápravník, Eduard

Nápravník, Eduard – Fantaisie russe pour Piano et Orchestre in b minor Op.39 (Piano reduction, 2 copies)

(b. Býšť, Bohemia, 24. August 1839 – d. St. Petersburg, 23. November 1916)

Preface to the full score:
Eduard Nápravník was a Czech composer who spent most of his life in Russia. He was born on August 24, 1839 and died on November 10, 1916. After the death of his parents Nápravník started his musical studies at 14 at the Prague Organ School, where he also began teaching. Eventually he found love for composing and conducting, landing his first conducting job in 1861. He conducted several premieres of well-known composers such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto in 1875. In addition to conducting, he created music in many different genres as operas, choral and orchestral works, piano concertos, and chamber music (usually including piano). Fantaisie Russe pour Piano et Orchestre in b minor is one of the mentioned piano concertos.

There is discrepancy on whether Nápravník composed the Fantaisie Russe pour Piano et Orchestre in b minor in 1881 or 1882. However, it is certain that it was published in 1886. The piano concerto is dedicated to pianist Vera Timanova, a favorite of Franz Liszt’s students. She performed the premiere in Russia in February 1881.

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