Although written in 1888, the Prelude and two mazurkas, Op 25, were published after the Two pieces, Op 22 (1890), and the Waltzes on the theme ‘SABELA’, Op 23 (1890). Mazurkas were a particularly popular idiom for piano pieces at the time and most of Glazunov’s contemporaries wrote several examples—Balakirev is a good example. However, in this case Glazunov has managed to create a truly stunning technical tour de force from the relatively simple dance form, something he was to repeat later in his brilliant piano waltzes.
from notes by Stephen Coombs © 1996
;)
