Islamey by Balakirev on historic 1864 piano.

Mili Balakirev (1837-1910) wrote his legendary "Islamey: Oriental Fantasy" in 1869. It uses themes and dance rhythms from the Caucasus Mountains. These areas were considered exotic by 19th-Century Europeans. Balakirev, the leader of the group of musical Russian nationalists known as the "Mighty Five", highlighted that eastern exoticism in this exciting piano work. Islamey was an instant success, and influenced such monumental works as Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Borodin's Prince Igor.
The piano used in this performance is an Erard, built in Paris in 1864 (five years before Islamey was written). It is exactly the same model purchased by Liszt one year later. Chopin also favoured Erard pianos and these kinds of instruments would have been common during Balakirev's lifetime. This Erard was restored recently in Perth by Colin van der Lecq.
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