Gliere's Third

[Christo]

One example: the "Nachtmusik" nature of the second movement.

Hadn't heard it this way, but you are right. What Gliere has to offer, is a lot of imagination - not dissimilar to that found in Rimsky-Korsakov or Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony, but also some that is more 'modern' and pointing towards Stravinsky's Firebird.

[Maestro267]

Il'ya Muromets is one of the most epic symphonies in the repertoire. A masterpiece in the heroic vein of Tchaikovsky's Manfred.

[Daverz]

Two of the best recordings

[asin]B00HFDKTC4[/asin]



"Unless almost 59 minutes of Ilya Murometz are not enough for you, this performance and recording will knock your socks off." - Richard Kaplan, Fanfare

The excellent Japanese transfer is available from Arkivmusic:

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=180374

[vandermolen]

Yes, the Ormandy on LP (never on CD  ) was a revelation. If you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of it it is great fun and moving towards the end.

[aesthetic]

Not a composer I will go out of my way to investigate further, unless there's a red hot recommendation somewhere.

Harp Concerto 

[Maestro267]

Sorry, but how on earth did you find a thread that hasn't been active for 18 months, to quote a post that's nearly NINE YEARS old?! You must have plenty of time and patience on your hands.

[North Star]

Sorry, but how on earth did you find a thread that hasn't been active for 18 months, to quote a post that's nearly NINE YEARS old?! You must have plenty of time and patience on your hands.

Nearly 10 years old, you mean. 

[Maestro267]

Nearly 10 years old, you mean. 

Wow, you're right! Even more bizarre then.

(Not bizarre that you're right, I hasten to add.)

Anyway, keeping on topic, recently I've really grown to love what I call the Epilogue of the symphony. After the massive climax, you get many of the symphony's major themes returning, in a more reflective and tragic state, leading to the most achingly gorgeous B minor chord, with the violins starting off really high. It's just gut-wrenchingly beautiful and tragic.

[vandermolen]

Wow, you're right! Even more bizarre then.

(Not bizarre that you're right, I hasten to add.)

Anyway, keeping on topic, recently I've really grown to love what I call the Epilogue of the symphony. After the massive climax, you get many of the symphony's major themes returning, in a more reflective and tragic state, leading to the most achingly gorgeous B minor chord, with the violins starting off really high. It's just gut-wrenchingly beautiful and tragic.

I agree.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Wow, you're right! Even more bizarre then.

(Not bizarre that you're right, I hasten to add.)

Anyway, keeping on topic, recently I've really grown to love what I call the Epilogue of the symphony. After the massive climax, you get many of the symphony's major themes returning, in a more reflective and tragic state, leading to the most achingly gorgeous B minor chord, with the violins starting off really high. It's just gut-wrenchingly beautiful and tragic.

I think there is going to be a time when this piece will be rightfully hailed as a masterpiece without any reservations whatsoever. We are fortunate to have so many fine recordings.

[relm1]

I think there is going to be a time when this piece will be rightfully hailed as a masterpiece without any reservations whatsoever. We are fortunate to have so many fine recordings.

It's not so much a masterpiece as a culmination of a style.  Russian nationalism utilizing some of the elements of Orientalism (Balakirev's Islamey, Borodin's In the steps of central Asia, Scheherazade, Cui's Orientale, and other semi-historical/mythical legends, etc).  I don't think the style was topped but that doesn't make this work a masterpiece.  Just a culmination of an enjoyable stylistic direction.  I very much enjoy the piece but I take it for what it is.