Leader, PHILIP WHITEWAY
Conducted by PETER MONTGOMERY
A. S. Arensky (1861-1006), one of the most interesting of minor Russian composers, is known in England chiefly by his pleasant, lyrical chamber music and by his polished miniatures for piano, which he produced prolifically. Though a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov, his work is not very remarkable for national flavouring. It is similar in quality to the more lyrical part of Tchaikovsky's output.
Towards the end of his life Arensky's faculties were undermined by living at a rather furious pace, and his last days were spent in tragic futility. Galloping consumption ended his life.