Mily Balakirev - Symphony No.1 in C-major (1866)

Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev ( 2 January 1837 [O.S. 21 December 1836] – 29 May [O.S. 16 May] 1910) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor known today primarily for his work promoting musical nationalism and his encouragement of more famous Russian composers, notably Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He began his career as a pivotal figure, extending the fusion of traditional folk music and experimental classical music practices begun by composer Mikhail Glinka. In the process, Balakirev developed musical patterns that could express overt nationalistic feeling. After a nervous breakdown and consequent sabbatical, he returned to classical music but did not wield the same level of influence as before.

Work: Symphony No.1 in C-major (1866) scored for 3 flutes (the third doubling piccolo), oboe, English horn, 3 clarinets (switching between B flat and A instruments), 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, triangle, cymbals, snare drum, bass drum, 2 harps, first and second violins, violas, cellos and double basses.

Mov.I: Largo - Allegro vivo 00:00
Mov.II: Scherzo: Vivo 12:53
Mov.III: Andante 20:27
Mov.IV: Finale: Allegro moderato 34:15

Orchestra: Russian State Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Igor Golovschin

[CozyButcher]

What a time to be alive, when we can simply click and listen to this at-will.
In all other generations you might hear this two or three times in a lifetime.

[milena.brunheira]

Estou numa jornada de conhecer outros compositores além dos mais conhecidos e tem sido uma experiência magnífica. Espero que tais obras não desapareçam completamente num futuro próximo. Abraços do Brasil, e muito obrigada por postar obras assim! I'm in a jorney to listen to others composers other than the best known and it's been a wonderful experience. I hope that such works don't disappear in a near future. Hugs from Brazil, and thank you very much for posting works like this!

[ipacyz]

One ot the greatest symphony of all times. Balakirev is very underrated as orchestrator, but his orchestral scores turn much things in russian symphonic music.

[janvanc]

I love Russian composers. Their music embodies the Russian spirit and love that Russians have for their country. First time I hear this wonderful symphony. Thanks for posting and wish for many more people to discover this beautiful music.

[keithp]

This symphony which took 31 years to finish (not until 1897) has been my favourite "hidden gem" for years – and I was very lucky to actually play it as a violinist in a UK amateur orchestra in the late 1990s. A lovely recording here. The first movement Allegro vivo after 2:25 is just... bonkers but brilliantly original, and Golovschin takes it at a nice tempo of quarter-note [crotchet] = 112, too (I find the rival performance on YT by Svetlanov too fast). Golovschin's tempo for the Rimsky-like Finale at 34:15 is also really good so that you hear all the different folk-melodies; the episode from about 39:46 onwards has some stunning harmonies in fifths, very 'Oriental folky', very original to Western ears. I always used to say to my orchestra colleagues when rehearsing the 1st movement "now you'll see where the inspiration for some 20th-century Russian music comes from". There's been lots of debate as to whether Rachmaninov knew when planning his 2nd symphony's slow movement and was inspired by Balakirev's exquisite Andante 3rd movement here, 20:27 on. I'm sure he did know it (the prominent solo melody for the clarinet is a bit of a give-away), but anyway – I'd like both Balakirev's and Rachmaninov's melodies in my Desert Island Discs please!

[VOLKHVORONOVICH]

The story behind Repin's painting is hilarious. From Wikipedia"



Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks depicts a supposedly historical tableau, set in 1676, and based on the legend of Cossacks sending a reply to an ultimatum of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed IV. The original reply, if it ever existed, has not survived; however, in the 1870s an amateur ethnographer from Yekaterinoslav (today Dnipro), Ya. Novitsky, found a copy made in the 18th century. He gave it to historian Dmytro Yavornytsky (1855–1940), who by chance read it to his guests, among whom was the painter Ilya Repin. Repin became curious about the story and in 1880 started the first of his studies.[citation needed]

According to the story, the Zaporozhian Cossacks (from "beyond the rapids", Ukrainian: za porohamy), inhabiting the lands around the lower Dnieper River in Ukraine, had defeated Ottoman Empire forces in battle. However, Mehmed demanded that the Cossacks submit to Ottoman rule. The Cossacks, led by Ivan Sirko, replied in an uncharacteristic manner: they wrote a letter, replete with insults and profanities. The painting exhibits the Cossacks' pleasure at striving to come up with ever more base vulgarities. During Repin's time, the Cossacks enjoyed great popular sympathy. Repin also admired them: "All that Gogol wrote about them is true! A holy people! No one in the world held so deeply freedom, equality, and fraternity."
Mehmed IV, Ottoman Sultan 1648–1687

Sultan Mehmed IV to the Zaporozhian Cossacks: As the Sultan; son of Muhammad; brother of the sun and moon; grandson and viceroy of God; ruler of the kingdoms of Macedonia, Babylon, Jerusalem, Upper and Lower Egypt; emperor of emperors; sovereign of sovereigns; extraordinary knight, never defeated; steadfast guardian of the tomb of Jesus Christ; trustee chosen by God Himself; the hope and comfort of Muslims; confounder and great defender of Christians – I command you, the Zaporogian Cossacks, to submit to me voluntarily and without any resistance, and to desist from troubling me with your attacks.
— Turkish Sultan Mehmed IV

The Cossacks' reply came as a stream of invective and vulgar rhymes:

Zaporozhian Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan!

O sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight are thou, that canst not slay a hedgehog with your naked arse? The devil shits, and your army eats. Thou shalt not, thou son of a whore, make subjects of Christian sons; we have no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee, fuck thy mother.

Thou Babylonian scullion, Macedonian wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-fucker of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, pig of Armenia, Podolian thief, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, an idiot before God, grandson of the Serpent, and the crick in our dick. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw thine own mother!

So the Zaporozhians declare, you lowlife. You won't even be herding pigs for the Christians. Now we'll conclude, for we don't know the date and don't own a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year with the Lord, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our arse!
— Koshovyi otaman Ivan Sirko, with the whole Zaporozhian Host

[johannsebastianbach]

Painting: Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks 
Painter: Ilya Repin, 1891

[OffThePickettFence]

Quick correction on the date... according to the Oxford Dictionary of Music, although Balakirev had begun to compose this work in 1864, he did not finish it until 1897. It was premiered in April of 1898 conducted by Balakirev himself, his final appearance as a conductor.

[eleipswanaya]

Hermosa música de este autor No lo conocía

[tomp]

Wow!  I haven't heard this symphony in 30 years.  Years ago, when I was in love, I wrote words to the tune of the 3rd movement.  "Can a rose feel the cold when the wind blows and the leaves have all gone from the trees?  Does it long for the season of sunlight when it swayed in the warm summer breeze?"  etc

[mashapetoddlethata]

Beautiful traditional russian classical jewel...legendary !!!

[genevievebauer]

Un nom qu'on ne voit pas souvent sur les programmes. Merci de le tirer un peu de cet oubli immérité.

[ricardogallardo]

Me encanta el andante del 3° movimiento, me hace imaginar esas interminables praderas, y ese ambiente tan particular, Muchas gracias, Ricardo desde Argentina

[williametheridge]

This was recommended today, after I swooned over Valinnikov’s 1st Sym.
He did not jest, it’s a pearler.

[ob]

this was published on my birthday! A nice surprise.

[kellykane]

Hey! That was real nice. Thanks. I liked this a lot. Never heard it before. Don't recognize the name. But it's very good. Someone could do a ballet to this I think.

[hectorbarrionuevo]

Lovely mid-Romantic, Russian Symphony; especially enjoyed Movements II and IV for energy and color !

[MegaCirse]

Listen this it’s abolish the surge of noises and images of everyday life in order to open
the space of a place where contingency and representation give way to the immateriality of the sensible. Once the door is closed on the agitation of the world, an underlying silence is established, a slowness grasps, preludes to a dilation of perception and consciousness. In the stream of the notes that pass through us, the expressive power of the sound architecture breaks with any form of transcription of the real to attach itself to the expression of an impalpable universe. Colors, composition, rhythm, constitute a language that truly gives voice to exaltation!

[giirving]

Starting at around 20:00 is pure heaven.

[rozb]

I wish they'd play stuff like this on Classic Fm - it's brilliant.