Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940) was born in the Russian town of Lyubim. She attended the St Petersburg Conservatory where she studied piano with Anton Rubinstein and composition with Nikolai Soloviev. After graduating she pursued a career as a concert pianist, teacher, and composer. Until recently, she and music had fallen into total oblivion. The only mention of her could be found in the memoirs of Stravinsky to whom she gave piano lessons for two years. However, in the past few years, both she and her music have received some attention. As a concert pianist, she made tours of Berlin and London. Her Tuesday evening musical soirees she held at her St Petersburg home every week were quite popular, rivaling the famous Belaiev soirees. She was also a member of a performing piano trio with Leopold Auer on violin and Alexander Verzhbilovich on cello.
The sonata was the first of two composed in 1896 and was dedicated to Alexander Verzhbilovich, her piano trio partner and soloist. It is in four movements and opens with a genial Allegro moderato. Very romantic and lyrical, it almost sounds like a Salonstück, a piece for the salon. It is elegant and graceful. The second movement, Scherzo, allegro vivace, is a fleet-footed Russian-sounding dance. A slow waltz-like trio section provides a fine contrast. Third comes a somewhat somber Andante, lyrical and a bit melancholy. The Sonata is rounded off with an engaging Rondo allegro.
This is a very fine work with beautiful melodies and fine writing. It deserves a concert performance.