Question by Alex: Excluing Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky what are some of the most beautiful and emotional Russian compositions?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Raymond
Some suggestions of really famous instrumental works from Russian composers (off the top of my head so in no particular order)…
– Glinka: Overture for Ruslan and Lyudmila
– Glazunov: ”Autumn” from The Seasons (ballet, Op. 67)
– Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36
– Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)
(Baba Yagá and the Great Gate of Kiev)
– Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade, Op. 35
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_pkRH2DZuw (1/5)
– Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
– Borodin: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor (some vocals here…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsTVF0Fu5_c
– Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op.34
(1/2)
– Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain
– Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqB6nz_enn4&feature=related (The Sacrifice)
Leaving a *lot* of good composers on the sideline: Scriabin, Prokofiev, Medtner, Shostakovich, etc.
Best regards
Read all the answers in the comments.
What do you think?
Dave U says
Medtner's 1st Piano Concerto is lovely:
as is Prokofiev's 1st Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VeyaZ2gIhg
and the "Adagio" from Spartacus by Khachaturian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6784n_4QCI
(also check out his 2nd Symphony)
Caucasian Sketches (suite) by Ippolitov-Ivanov: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXUChKfyjwE
mmoynan says
There are tons, the majority of which the poster above me has covered.
He missed Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Although it would sometimes be hard to call Prokofiev "emotional", it is nonetheless an enormously powerful piece.
I would for sure give it a listen.