Question by Anna Miniskayeva: A “powerful” Russian song/piece?
I’m working on a small play at school. A man called Ivan reveals his true identity as the prince of Russia. I need a really “powerful” piece/song for the background music. It can be part of an opera. It can be an orchestral march. I was thinking about a piece in Alexander Nevsky suite… but I can’t pick which one yet. Or something of Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff… But I’d prefer a catchy tune (something that they can feel overwhelmed right when they listen to it) as the audience are high school students.
Answers and Views:
Answer by del_icious_manager
I think the ideal piece to try would be the music Prokofiev wrote to another film called ‘Ivan the Terrible’. A ‘concert scenario’ has been extracted from this fine music and you can hear it on 9 YouTube videos. I have given a link to 1/9 below.
However, remember that to use ANY recorded music in a public place you need to obtain the necessary licences.
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Swiss Maestro says
I think the final (fourth) movement of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony would match perfectly. It is very heavy and powerful.
Here is the link for Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogJFXqYEYd8
Alberich says
An orchestral 'warhorse' by the great P.I. Tchaikovsky might fill the bill: his symphonic poem "Francesca da Rimini".
It tells the story of star-crossed lovers and their tragic end – "rip-roaringly" dramatic in places. It's here performed {only the last of a 3 video set) by a relatively brilliant and most enthusiastic youth orchestra, from Venezuela I believe (hold on to your hat): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8tejgEfa5Y&fe…
Alberich
wvculturallover says
How about using the old Russian National Anthem that appears in Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave and 1812 Overture? It is rousing and is a Russian work that your audience members would recognize. Plus, it is associated with Imperial Russia with its Czar and Princes.
Borodin– Prince Igor: Overture starting after the slow introduction.
Glinka– Ruslan and Ludmilla: Overture
Tchaikovsky–Coronation march
the dark elven lord says
the 1812 overture
John R says
1st movement of Glazunov's Symphony # 8. Catchy and noble – fit for a prince.