Nikolai Kapustin: Sonata No. 1, Op. 39 (Sonata-Fantasy)

Sonata-Fantasy-Nikolai Kapustin's Sonata No.1 for Piano was composed in 1984 and has a duration of approximately 18 minutes. Kapustin composed his first Piano Sonata op.39 in 1984 - surprisingly late in his career. Its subtitle Sonata-Fantasia and the fact that the first three movements are played without a break give the impression of a constant stream of thought; the first movement certainly has an improvisatory feel and the second begins in an equally searching way. But in the scherzo and finale it is obvious that the composer is unable to repress his love of the sheer physical aspect of playing; the finale especially is an unstoppable tourde force.