Leokadiya Kashperova

Abstract

Leokadiya Kashperova's romantic compositions were highly regarded by Rimsky-Korsakov, César Cui, and by Balakirev whose works she premiered and recorded. In 1907, Kashperova performed her own compositions to critical acclaim in Leipzig, Berlin and London. After the 1917 Revolution following her death in 1940, her name joined her fine music in historical anonymity and oblivion. This Element is the result of twenty years' research culminating in eight study-visits by the author to St Petersburg, Moscow and the Yaroslavl/Kostroma region. The Biography (section 1) is the first ever written about this composer. Kashperova's Memoirs (section 2) and her Recollections of Anton Rubinstein (section 3) are made available in translation for the first time. Together with a new edition of her compositions (Boosey & Hawkes, London) this Element aims to support the restoration of Kashperova to her rightful place in music history as Russia's foremost female composer of the early twentieth century.