Penguin Guide 3 stars; Gramophone Award.
This album features two symphonies by Alexander Glazunov, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under the direction of Tadaaki Otaka.
Symphony No. 1 in E major, Op. 5, known as the "Slavonic Symphony," was composed when Glazunov was just 16 years old. It reflects influences from Rimsky-Korsakov and Balakirev, blending youthful energy with remarkable compositional maturity. The work incorporates folk-inspired melodies and showcases Glazunov’s early mastery of orchestration.
Symphony No. 6 in C minor, Op. 58, written in 1896, is more dramatic and symphonically sophisticated. It features a striking first movement with Tchaikovskian intensity, a second movement built around a theme and variations, and a noble, processional finale that combines grandeur with contrapuntal complexity.
These performances capture Glazunov’s lyrical style, rich orchestration, and his position as a bridge between the Russian nationalist school and the emerging 20th-century symphonic tradition.
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