Anton Arensky: Suiten Nr.1 & 3 auf CD

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Suite No. I in G minor was written by Anton Arensky in 1885. The suite marked by great talent is closely connected with the best national traditions, which the composer inherited from his master N. Rimsky Korsakov. The main thematic material introducing the suite was borrowed from his collection of the Russian folk songs. The melody of a song "Having Waved With A Broom" makes up the basis of the narration, turning into a fugue theme by the end. The second movement — Air de danse (song-dance) — is a five-beat waltz. The third movement — Scherzo — is full of unexpected timbre contrasts. In the fourth movement — Basso ostinato — one can trace the affinity to the Russian epic traditions. The fifth movement — March — is markedly ceremonial.

Suite No. 3 (Variations) was originally conceived for two pianos, and later was transcribed by the author for symphony orchestra. Suite — is nine varia tions on a short vivid theme.

The disc also features introduction to the opera "Nal and Damajanti" composed in 1903 and staged at the Bolshoi Theatre the next year.