Serbian Composers

[kyjo]

A few months ago, I had my first (intentional) encounter with the music of a Serbian composer, namely the substantial ballet Ohridska legenda (The Legend of Ohrid) by Stevan Hristić (1885-1958):

https://youtu.be/EJ4sXX9yBTs?si=a3Lk2oJkK8LCMukR (This very good recording can also be found on Spotify)

Although composed in 1947, this ballet is thoroughly in the Slavic Romantic nationalist tradition of Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin, et al. Which isn't a problem at all, because it turns out that the music is as tuneful, colorful, and exciting as anything by those aforementioned composers! Really thrilling and lovable stuff, and there's hardly a dull moment in its whole 90-minute duration. I particularly loved the big moments with chorus à la Borodin's Polovetsian Dances. I see that CPO has recorded a suite from the ballet, but it's definitely worth listening to the full work.

Anyone else familiar with Hristić or any other Serbian composers? I'm expecting hundreds of replies

[Symphonic Addict]

I wasn't aware of a complete recording of that ballet. I've come to know that work via the suites recorded on CPO. Thanks for the alert, Kyle! Works with a strong Slavonic accent are a weakness of mine.

[Christo]

Anyone else familiar with Hristić or any other Serbian composers? I'm expecting hundreds of replies

The four suites from The Legend of Ohrid is what I know & cherish for about 25 years. Good to know that the complete ballet is worth the effort too.

[vandermolen]

I have 'The Legend of Ohrid' on an enjoyable CPO CD.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

The only recording I know of any Serbian composer(s) is the one pictured by @vandermolen. A fine disc. The Hristić work brought Khachaturian to mind on more than one occasion. The other work on that CPO disc Balkanophonia from Slavenski is also very good and has some rather infectious folk-like music à la Bartók and early Lutosławski. In other words, music that is right up my alley.

[Mandryka]

Marko Tajčević. I only know is (enjoyable, Bartokian) piano music played by Radmila Stojanović-Kiriluk. It's streaming.

[Roy Bland]

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vasiliki-Sirakouli/publication/299446960_Aspects_of_Greek_and_Serbian_Music_Athens_2008/links/56f84df908ae7c1fda3074a3/Aspects-of-Greek-and-Serbian-Music-Athens-2008.pdf

[pjme]

Discover much more rare composers/performers:

https://www.youtube.com/@serbianjazznost7378/videos

https://www.youtube.com/@SerbianComposers/videos

[Roy Bland]

Baranovic is listed also as croatian as Maric

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Ljubica Marić is a name that was mentioned by @André not too long ago. He mentioned liking this recording:



Does anyone have any comments about this disc or her music in general?

[kyjo]

The four suites from The Legend of Ohrid is what I know & cherish for about 25 years. Good to know that the complete ballet is worth the effort too.

Well, you'll be pleased to know that it requires very little effort at all! It's such an immediately appealing score.

[Christo]

It's all in that typically 1950s style combining 'Soviet Realism' with folk music, very much like Khatchatourians ballets or Glière's Red Poppy. Plus a sort of post-WW optimism about the future.

[André]

It's all in that typically 1950s style combining 'Soviet Realism' with folk music, very much like Khatchatourians ballets or Glière's Red Poppy. Plus a sort of post-WW optimism about the future.

Good description. I concur. A cdr of Ohrid was sent to me many years ago by our late Drasko. I should give it a spin.

[ritter]

It's all in that typically 1950s style combining 'Soviet Realism' with folk music, very much like Khatchatourians ballets or Glière's Red Poppy. Plus a sort of post-WW optimism about the future.

[Christo]

If you find the element of 'Gebrauchsmusik' disturbing, the same can be said of Bach, Handel, Haydn and most composers before the 20th century. The question is whether they did so with masterly skill. Khatsaturian -- sorry for my spelling, Armenian names are extra hard and transliterations differ widely per language -- and Hristić did, IMHO. 

[pjme]

Baranovic is listed also as croatian as Maric

Most GMG members don't like recitation ...I do.
This is a fascinating score  and based on words by a fascinating writer I only discovered: a couple of years ago  Miroslav Krleza (some of his stories are extremely weird and very cruel).
I was reminded of Szymanowsky (Harnasie) .
The kitschy  fantasy illustrations on  YT distract from Krlezas & Baranovics lofty inspirations!



This work for reciters, soloists, mixed choir and orchestra is actually a more freely conceived cantata. Composing to the verses of the poem of the same name by Miroslav Krleža, Baranović built his work into four interconnected movements. The first is a broad, al fresco image of a rich, sun-drenched autumn. The basic element of this movement - and of the entire composition - is the motif of Pan's flute, which varies in countless ways throughout the work. The second part of the cantata begins with the choir chanting the Kirie eleison and transitions into the desperate sobs of a penitent procession climbing towards the church. The third movement opens with the motif of Pan's flute: Pan kisses a ray of sunlight that has penetrated the dark church, then in a lyrical episode he calls upon his beloved Arinoe - the embodiment of the trembling human soul. He fights against the 'threats of the choir', and at the height of his ecstasy exclaims: Does not autumn sing outside? Do not the colors dance? Does not the sky smile?

The turnaround is achieved and life wins. In the fourth part of the poem, the choir - accepting Pan's call - enthusiastically sings about joy and sunshine, starting a temperamental dance. The music abandons the impressionistic coloring - which had prevailed until then - and takes on the tone of our folklore. Then the wild joy slowly dies down and the image of the autumn landscape, with which the poem began, returns again.

Editor of the program: Svetlana Matović