Gavriil Popov 1904-1972

[vandermolen]

A captivatingly absorbing piece bearing an unmistakable Russian spirit plenty of alluring gestures not devoid of certain depth.

The Symphony No. 4 hasn't received the first official recording yet. I hope it will see the light of day in the rather near future.

I think that, a bit like Nielsen's 6th Symphony, Popov's 6th Symphony tries to be 'Festive' (its subtitle) but is shot through with tragedy. Towards the end it seems to reference Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky - I find it very moving. 1,2 'Motherland' and 6 are my favourites.

[vers la flamme]

Bump for a very good composer.

I listened to the Chamber Symphony/Septet earlier, and then Symphony No.1, the Northern Flowers disc. So good. I wish more conductors and orchestras would take up Popov's music.

[vandermolen]

Bump for a very good composer.

I listened to the Chamber Symphony/Septet earlier, and then Symphony No.1, the Northern Flowers disc. So good. I wish more conductors and orchestras would take up Popov's music.

Totally agree. I consider him to be a major figure - especially his first two symphonies. No.1 in my opinion, is the only one, other that Weinberg's 5th Symphony, which bears comparison with Shostakovich's 4th symphony.

[Maestro267]

It's listed as a concerto but its symphonic scale means I would also add Tishchenko's Violin Concerto No. 2 to that list.

[vandermolen]

It's listed as a concerto but its symphonic scale means I would also add Tishchenko's Violin Concerto No. 2 to that list.

I must give that another listen to. I'm sure that I have an old Olympia CD featuring it.

[Maestro267]

That's how I have it, yes. And I remember comparing it favourably to Shostakovich 4 within a few listens of it.

[Roy Bland]

SYMPHONY N.4 BY GAVRIIL POPOV»

On February 6, 2023, the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theater will host the world premiere of Symphony No. 4 «Glory to the Fatherland» («Слава Отчизне») by the Leningrad composer Gavriil Popov. Previously played only in fragments, the symphony will be performed in its entirety for the first time. It will be presented by the vocal ensemble «Arielle» led by Elmira Dadasheva and artists of the Mariinsky Theater. Unlike the composer's three previous symphonies, the Fourth Symphony was written for a mixed choir and soloists without the participation of an orchestra. The composition turned out to be so complicated that no orchestra dared to tackle it, and this four-movement symphony has never been performed in full. In 1949, when the composer completed work on the composition, only the second part of the symphony «Spring» («Весна») was performed.


https://www.mariinsky.ru/news1/2023/2_2023/01_2/

[relm1]

SYMPHONY N.4 BY GAVRIIL POPOV»

On February 6, 2023, the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theater will host the world premiere of Symphony No. 4 «Glory to the Fatherland» («Слава Отчизне») by the Leningrad composer Gavriil Popov. Previously played only in fragments, the symphony will be performed in its entirety for the first time. It will be presented by the vocal ensemble «Arielle» led by Elmira Dadasheva and artists of the Mariinsky Theater. Unlike the composer's three previous symphonies, the Fourth Symphony was written for a mixed choir and soloists without the participation of an orchestra. The composition turned out to be so complicated that no orchestra dared to tackle it, and this four-movement symphony has never been performed in full. In 1949, when the composer completed work on the composition, only the second part of the symphony «Spring» («Весна») was performed.


https://www.mariinsky.ru/news1/2023/2_2023/01_2/

Wow!  no wonder it was never available.  I hope they record it. 
...wait what?  It's just an acapella choir piece?  "Unlike the composer's three previous symphonies, the Fourth was written for mixed choir and soloists without the participation of an orchestra."

[pjme]

With the help of Google:
""Composer Gavriil Popov, for whom Leningrad has become his hometown, has created a unique composition for a mixed choir and four soloists, where the choir takes on the difficult function of a symphony orchestra," says Elmira Dadasheva, artistic director and conductor of the Arielle vocal ensemble. – The composer created a rich choral texture, which refers us to the best examples of the Russian choral composer school – the works of Rachmaninoff, Taneyev and Grechaninov."

Indeed, Symphony No. 4 "Glory to the Motherland" for 4 Soloists and Chorus, Op. 47 (1949).

[Maestro267]

Again redefining what is a symphony.