Russian Composers have created some of the most beautiful and powerful classical music compositions. Some laid down the rules of compostition, while others smashed those rules. Still others preserved Russia's history and folk stories in their pieces, or re-imagined medieval music. A few even sought to define the music of the future.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will bring to life emotional works by Alexander Borodin, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky--three Russian composers who communicated joy, pain and hope through their music from the age of gilded Russian aristocracy up to the 20th century. The compositions will be featured in the first masterworks concert of the SCSO's 2016-17 performing season on July 23rd at 7 p.m. at the Scott Center for Performing Arts and at 3 p.m. at the Community Church of Vero Beach on July 24.
Over the past seven seasons, the orchestra has explored many works from Russian composers including Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Shchedrin, Glinka, Gluzanov, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, as well as the three composers on the July program.
"We wanted to kick off our season with a bang," observes SCSO conductor Aaron Collins. "After our past performances we were left with an incredible catalog of compositions by these masters. Not only are these works extremely appealing and exciting for our musicians, but they connect with our audience immediately."
Storytelling has always been a large part of Russian music as many of the works written were for operas, ballets, melodramatic fantasies, tone-poems and fairy-stories.
"Russian music ranges from the happily ecstatic to the breathtakingly tragic," Collins explains. "It is music that is overflowing with beautiful melodies and creative colorful orchestration that captivate listeners and paint vivid worlds in their minds. Throw in life's personal hurdles, tragedies, and triumphs, it all led to the creation of many of the most important works of the last two centuries. Tchaikovsky put it this way, 'Life is beautiful in spite of everything. There are many thorns, but the roses are there too.'"
The program opens with the soaring melodies of Borodin's most famous work "Polovtsian Dances" from the opera "Prince Igor". A self-described Sunday composer, Borodin (1833 - 1887) was a notable chemist by day, and wrote music in his free time. Celebrated for lyrical, melodic writing and dramatic harmonies, Borodin was one of five nationalist, 19th century composers know as the "Mighty Handful," who banded together in an attempt to create a truly national school of Russian music.
SCSO's second piece is Rachmaninoff's "Isle of the Dead," a deep and reverent piece that depicts the ghostly ferryman of Greek mythology rowing the souls of the departed to their final rest. Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943), a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, was one of the last great champions of the Romantic style of European classical music. His irresistible melodies and Russian blend of melancholy and rapture delight audiences still. Rachmaninoff spent the last eight years of this life in the U.S.
The SCSO program concludes with "Petruska," Stravinsky's beautiful and colorful ballet burlesque that tells the folk story of the lives and loves of three puppets. Eloquently performed full-out by the entire orchestra, this piece is a wonderful example of Stravinsky's (1882 - 1971) ability to dazzle audiences which he regularly did with pieces such as "The Firebird" and "The Rite of Spring." A lawyer by profession, the accomplished composer was able to write in numerous genres, one of the hallmarks that separated him from other Russian geniuses.
So what is the "sound of Russian music?"
"The short answer is Russian composers avoided western musical influence at first," Collins replies. "During the late 19th century and the rise of nationalism, Russian composers resorted to folk music as a way of creating a sound that fit this new sense of nationalism. They incorporated scales, modes, and melodies that were predominant in their folk music. Oriental-sounding and Russian Orthodox liturgical music were also used by the Russian composers."
Collins says he's most excited about conducting Stravinsky's "Petrushka."
"It is one of the most important pieces of the 20th century and one of my personal favorites," he relates. "It is an extremely difficult piece to perform, but we can't wait to tackle it."
Advance tickets are available for $20 through the orchestra website at http://www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org $25 at the door. For more information about the SCSO 2016-17 season or the "Symphony for Everyone" discount ticket program, please visit their website or call (855)252-7276.