Georgiy Eduardovich Conus (1862–1933) (‘Konyus’ in Russian) is one of the astonishing number of gifted Russian composer-pianists who helped shape what is known as the ‘Silver Age’ of Russian music. Like many such figures, his achievements have since been obscured by the music of Rachmaninov and others. This first-ever recording of his piano music reveals a composer with his roots in Tchaikovsky, a harmonic sophistication akin to Scriabin’s and an emotional range that stretches from an easy-going charm to dramatic and powerful keyboard virtuosity. Once again, that champion of the unknown composer, Jonathan Powell rescues some thoroughly attractive music from obscurity.

Jonathan Powell has established a reputation as one of the most fearless pianists currently active, spending his concert seasons touring blockbuster piano works. In the past decade he has presented the cycle of Scriabin’s ten sonatas in single concerts, Messiaen’s Vingt regards sur l’enfant Jésus, Albéniz’s Iberia, Beethoven’s ‘Hammerklavier’ Sonata, Reger’s Bach Variations, the complete piano works of Xenakis, Liszt’s Sonata, Stockhausen’s Klavierstücke and Sorabji’s Opus clavicembalisticum. This is his sixth recording for Toccata Classics, and a massive seven-CD set of Sorabji’s Sequentia cyclica is in preparation. His articles on many aspects of Russian music appear in the New Grove Dictionary of Music. He lives in southern Poland.