Biryulki...Liadov

Anatol Liadov was in many respects like a character in a Tchekov play, talented but incredibly indolent. He was always going to do wonders; everyone who knew him was confident that he had it in his power to do wonders. (And, judging from the comparatively little that he actually did, they were quite right.) But his achievement, delightful as it is, consists almost entirely of sketches, miniatures, fragments. These odds and ends are generally charming, gay, amusing, beautifully polished, but they fall far short of the 'might-have-been' that Liadov would certainly have achieved if he had not been the pleasant, indolent, 'good companion' he was.

These 'Biryulki', an early work (his Op. 2), are extremely characteristic of Liadov's talent. The very name - 'baubles', 'gewgaws' - is significant.