Little known outside of Russia, Samuel Feinberg (1890-1962) performed, taught, and composed for nearly sixty years. An original and intellectually precocious musician, his pianism was of the highest level. As a young man, he was prepared by Alexander Goldenweiser, a pianist and pedagogue who frequented Tolstoy and wrote reminiscences of his visits with the writer. The young Feinberg began composing and met Scriabin, who praised Feinberg's interpretations. Feinberg managed to tour Europe before Stalin sealed off the country in the 1930's and was unable to travel abroad again. He taught at the Moscow Conservatory and had a modest career. After his death, manuscripts were published in which Feinberg had extensively elaborated his philosophy on music: they await translation into English.
When listening to Feinberg interpret Bach, Scriabin, Beethoven, or others, it is difficult to imagine that one pianist can adopt such varied approaches. Feinberg seemingly transformed himself to draw forth the unique musical language of each composer. His recording of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, made shortly before his death, is probably the most musically compelling and original version ever documented, as is his Scriabin and Liszt playing. He stands above all later Soviet pianists, except Sofronitsky, as a foremost musical mind and soul.
© Allan Evans, 1998