Mili Alekseyevich Balakirev was the influential leader of the Russian "Mighty Handful" of composers that set the standard by which others were judged. Revealing both Balakirev's admiration of Chopin and love of music with a deeply Russian character, this program ranges widely from new discoveries such as the early Nocturne in G-Sharp Minor to one of his last pieces, the heroic 7th Waltz. There are also beautifully simple gems such as the Chant du Pecheur and works of technical brilliance such as the Valse de concert and the magnificent and visionary 2nd Nocturne.
