The Valse-Caprice No 2 in D flat major is an elaboration of a piece by Alexander Taneyev, a distant relation of the much better known Sergey. Here Balakirev gives full rein to his gift for cadenza-like flourishes, which introduce and punctuate Taneyev’s music, culminating in a coda that features the most extravagant of many textural accretions.
from notes by David Fanning © 2011
