Reinhold Gliere (1875-1956)

Series

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

2009

20090323

Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher.

The focus is on the early part of Gliere's life in Kiev, including a look at his elusive ancestry, his formative musical years and his studies at the Moscow Conservatory. We hear part of one of his earliest works, his String Quartet No 1, Op 2, which is in complete contrast to his Russian Sailors Dance from the ballet The Red Poppy, which was not only the first truly Soviet work composed for the stage, but one which brought Gliere national popularity.

Donald also discusses the Concerto for harp and orchestra, composed during the dark build-up to the Second World War, yet offering a sunny and positive outlook.

Russian Sailors' Dance (The Red Poppy Op 70)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Stanley Black (conductor)

Decca 444107-2, Tr 3

String Quartet No 1 in A, Op 2 (Allegro)

Pulzus String Quartet

Hungaroton HCD32401, Tr 1

Intermezzo, Op 9 No 1

Hans Roelofsen (double bass)

Edwin van den Berg (piano)

Ottavo OTR C69865, Tr 9

Concerto for harp and orchestra, Op 74

Rachel Masters (harp)

City of London Sinfonia

Richard Hickox (conductor)

Chandos CHAN9094, Trs 1-3

Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 8 (Finale - Allegro)

Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra

Stephen Gunzenhauser (conductor)

Naxos 8.550898, Tr 4.

Donald Macleod traces Gliere's formative years, beginning with his early life in Kiev.

2009

20090324

Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher.

They chart Gliere's early teaching career, including his work at the newly formed Gnesin school and his influence as Prokofiev's first successful music tutor. During the early part of the 20th century, Gliere composed much vocal music, and within the programme there are contrasting works for voice, including Human Tears for mezzo-soprano and piano, and the composer's most unusual concerto - for coloratura soprano and orchestra. These are followed by the Sextet, Op 11, demonstrating Gliere's longstanding passion for string instruments.

Etude - The Last of Eight Duets Op 39

Henry Raudales (violin)

Freddy van Goethem (viola)

Pavane ADW7308, Tr 12

Three Mazurkas, Op 29

Anthony Goldstone (piano)

Olympia OCD711, Trs 26-28

Human Tears, Op 6 No 2 (Three Romances); Oh, if the melancholy, Op 28 No 3 (Eleven Romances)

Ekaterina Sementchuk (mezzo-soprano)

Larissa Gergieva (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMN911881, Trs 15-16

Concerto for coloratura soprano, Op 82

Joan Sutherland (soprano)

London Symphony Orchestra

Richard Bonynge (conductor)

Decca 430006-2, Trs 1-2

Berlin Philharmonic String Octet

MDG 3081196-2, Trs 1-4.

Donald Macleod is joined by Gerard McBurney to chart Gliere's early teaching career.

2009

20090325

Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher.

They focus on Gliere's short-lived career as a conductor, studying in Berlin. From a recording made in 1949, we hear Gliere conducting part of his Second Symphony, which was hailed by critics as 'vivid and fresh' and a significant step forward in the composer's symphonic evolution. There are also two unusual works for wind: Song, Op 35 No 3 - for oboe and piano, and the Concerto for Horn and Orchestra inspired by Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.

Song (Pieces, Op 35 No 3)

Ivan Paisov (oboe)

Natalia Shcherbakova (piano)

Naxos 8.570596, Tr 3

Symphony No 2 in C minor (Allegro giocoso)

All-Union Radio Orchestra

Reinhold Gliere (conductor)

Consonance 81-3002, Tr 2

Stars in a spring night, Op 18 No 3

Elena Prokina (soprano)

Semion Skigin (piano)

Conifer 75605 513032, Tr 12

Phoenix; Allegro; Romance; Ensemble Dance; Red Ship (The Red Poppy, Act 2)

Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra

Yuri Fayer (conductor)

Olympia OCD202, Trs 5-6

Concerto in B flat for horn and orchestra, Op 91

Hermann Baumann (horn)

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

Kurt Masur (conductor)

Philips 416380-2, Trs 1-3.

Donald Macleod focuses on Gliere's short-lived career as a conductor.

2009

20090326

Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher.

They survey Gliere's developing role within the Soviet regime, including his being sent to the Republic of Azerbaijan to help in the 'Soviet development' of its musical culture. The outcome of this visit was his opera Shakh-Senem, a lavish four-act epic full of Azerbaijani tunes. His compositional interest in orientalism is also heard in Song of the East, Op 28 No 2, for soprano and piano.

The programme concludes with part of Gliere's Symphony No 3 (Ilya Muromets) - a mammoth work in an extravagant late-Romantic style, including quadruple woodwind. It was not only hailed by the Soviet state for the preservation of traditional folk music, but championed in the West by the conductor Leopold Stokowski, bringing the composer international status.

Elena Prokina (soprano)

Semion Skigin (piano)

Conifer 75605 513032, Tr 5

Commodo; Leggiero; Con moto; Vivace - Nos 1-4 (10 Duets for two cellos, Op 53)

Helena Binney, Sarah Butcher (cellos)

Cello Classics CC1004, Trs 15-18

Overture (Shakh-Senem)

BBC Philharmonic

Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)

Chandos CHAN9518, Tr 3

Solemn Overture for the Twentieth Anniversary of the October Revolution, Op 72 (ed. Robert Grechesky)

Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra

Clark Rundell (conductor)

Chandos CHAN10166, Tr 1

Poco meno; Maestoso solenne (Symphony No 3, Op 42 - Ilya Muroments)

Edward Downes (conductor)

Chandos CHAN9041, Tr 6.

Donald Macleod and Gerard McBurney examine Gliere's position within Soviet Russia.

2009

05 LAST

20090327

Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher.

The programme charts the end of Gliere's life, from his patriotic music composed during the Second World War - including Holiday at Ferghana - to his influence as both a composer and teacher.

There are also two contrasting concertos, including one for cello, which when first premiered was quite a scandalous affair. It was later performed again, and became the first work to be dedicated to the great cellist Rostropovich. These are followed by Gliere's unfinished Violin Concerto, which was completed by one of his students.

Valse, Op 35 No 2

Christian Delafontaine (flute)

Marina Mourtazine-Chapochnikova (piano)

Gallo CD-894, Tr 6

Overture (Holiday at Ferghana, Op 75)

BBC Philharmonic

Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)

Chandos CHAN9518, Tr 7

Cello Concerto, Op 87 (Allegro vivace)

Quirine Viersen (cello)

Flemish Philharmonic

Marc Soustrot (conductor)

Talent DOM292996, Tr 3

Anticipation/Beginning of the Storm; Hymn to the Great City (Bronze Horseman Suite, Op 89a)

Edward Downes (conductor)

Chandos CHAN9379, Trs 12-13

Night Comes, Op 50 No 1

Ekaterina Sementchuk (mezzo-soprano)

Larissa Gergieva (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMN911881, Tr 17

Violin Concerto in G minor, Op 100 (completed and orchestrated by Lyatoshinsky)

Yuko Nishino (violin)

Philharmonia Orchestra

Yondani Butt (conductor)

ASV CD DCA 1129, Tr 1.

Donald Macleod and Gerard McBurney survey Gliere's influence and legacy.

Episodes

Series	Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
2009	01	20090323	Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher. The focus is on the early part of Gliere's life in Kiev, including a look at his elusive ancestry, his formative musical years and his studies at the Moscow Conservatory. We hear part of one of his earliest works, his String Quartet No 1, Op 2, which is in complete contrast to his Russian Sailors Dance from the ballet The Red Poppy, which was not only the first truly Soviet work composed for the stage, but one which brought Gliere national popularity. Donald also discusses the Concerto for harp and orchestra, composed during the dark build-up to the Second World War, yet offering a sunny and positive outlook. Russian Sailors' Dance (The Red Poppy Op 70) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Stanley Black (conductor) Decca 444107-2, Tr 3 String Quartet No 1 in A, Op 2 (Allegro) Pulzus String Quartet Hungaroton HCD32401, Tr 1 Intermezzo, Op 9 No 1 Hans Roelofsen (double bass) Edwin van den Berg (piano) Ottavo OTR C69865, Tr 9 Concerto for harp and orchestra, Op 74 Rachel Masters (harp) City of London Sinfonia Richard Hickox (conductor) Chandos CHAN9094, Trs 1-3 Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 8 (Finale - Allegro) Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra Stephen Gunzenhauser (conductor) Naxos 8.550898, Tr 4. Donald Macleod traces Gliere's formative years, beginning with his early life in Kiev.
2009	02	20090324	Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher. They chart Gliere's early teaching career, including his work at the newly formed Gnesin school and his influence as Prokofiev's first successful music tutor. During the early part of the 20th century, Gliere composed much vocal music, and within the programme there are contrasting works for voice, including Human Tears for mezzo-soprano and piano, and the composer's most unusual concerto - for coloratura soprano and orchestra. These are followed by the Sextet, Op 11, demonstrating Gliere's longstanding passion for string instruments. Etude - The Last of Eight Duets Op 39 Henry Raudales (violin) Freddy van Goethem (viola) Pavane ADW7308, Tr 12 Three Mazurkas, Op 29 Anthony Goldstone (piano) Olympia OCD711, Trs 26-28 Human Tears, Op 6 No 2 (Three Romances); Oh, if the melancholy, Op 28 No 3 (Eleven Romances) Ekaterina Sementchuk (mezzo-soprano) Larissa Gergieva (piano) Harmonia Mundi HMN911881, Trs 15-16 Concerto for coloratura soprano, Op 82 Joan Sutherland (soprano) London Symphony Orchestra Richard Bonynge (conductor) Decca 430006-2, Trs 1-2 Berlin Philharmonic String Octet MDG 3081196-2, Trs 1-4. Donald Macleod is joined by Gerard McBurney to chart Gliere's early teaching career.
2009	03	20090325	Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher. They focus on Gliere's short-lived career as a conductor, studying in Berlin. From a recording made in 1949, we hear Gliere conducting part of his Second Symphony, which was hailed by critics as 'vivid and fresh' and a significant step forward in the composer's symphonic evolution. There are also two unusual works for wind: Song, Op 35 No 3 - for oboe and piano, and the Concerto for Horn and Orchestra inspired by Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. Song (Pieces, Op 35 No 3) Ivan Paisov (oboe) Natalia Shcherbakova (piano) Naxos 8.570596, Tr 3 Symphony No 2 in C minor (Allegro giocoso) All-Union Radio Orchestra Reinhold Gliere (conductor) Consonance 81-3002, Tr 2 Stars in a spring night, Op 18 No 3 Elena Prokina (soprano) Semion Skigin (piano) Conifer 75605 513032, Tr 12 Phoenix; Allegro; Romance; Ensemble Dance; Red Ship (The Red Poppy, Act 2) Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra Yuri Fayer (conductor) Olympia OCD202, Trs 5-6 Concerto in B flat for horn and orchestra, Op 91 Hermann Baumann (horn) Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Kurt Masur (conductor) Philips 416380-2, Trs 1-3. Donald Macleod focuses on Gliere's short-lived career as a conductor.
2009	04	20090326	Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher. They survey Gliere's developing role within the Soviet regime, including his being sent to the Republic of Azerbaijan to help in the 'Soviet development' of its musical culture. The outcome of this visit was his opera Shakh-Senem, a lavish four-act epic full of Azerbaijani tunes. His compositional interest in orientalism is also heard in Song of the East, Op 28 No 2, for soprano and piano. The programme concludes with part of Gliere's Symphony No 3 (Ilya Muromets) - a mammoth work in an extravagant late-Romantic style, including quadruple woodwind. It was not only hailed by the Soviet state for the preservation of traditional folk music, but championed in the West by the conductor Leopold Stokowski, bringing the composer international status. Elena Prokina (soprano) Semion Skigin (piano) Conifer 75605 513032, Tr 5 Commodo; Leggiero; Con moto; Vivace - Nos 1-4 (10 Duets for two cellos, Op 53) Helena Binney, Sarah Butcher (cellos) Cello Classics CC1004, Trs 15-18 Overture (Shakh-Senem) BBC Philharmonic Vassily Sinaisky (conductor) Chandos CHAN9518, Tr 3 Solemn Overture for the Twentieth Anniversary of the October Revolution, Op 72 (ed. Robert Grechesky) Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra Clark Rundell (conductor) Chandos CHAN10166, Tr 1 Poco meno; Maestoso solenne (Symphony No 3, Op 42 - Ilya Muroments) Edward Downes (conductor) Chandos CHAN9041, Tr 6. Donald Macleod and Gerard McBurney examine Gliere's position within Soviet Russia.
2009	05 LAST	20090327	Donald Macleod is joined by Russian music expert Gerard McBurney to explore Gliere's life and work, from his beginnings in Kiev to his later prominent position in Moscow as both composer and teacher. The programme charts the end of Gliere's life, from his patriotic music composed during the Second World War - including Holiday at Ferghana - to his influence as both a composer and teacher. There are also two contrasting concertos, including one for cello, which when first premiered was quite a scandalous affair. It was later performed again, and became the first work to be dedicated to the great cellist Rostropovich. These are followed by Gliere's unfinished Violin Concerto, which was completed by one of his students. Valse, Op 35 No 2 Christian Delafontaine (flute) Marina Mourtazine-Chapochnikova (piano) Gallo CD-894, Tr 6 Overture (Holiday at Ferghana, Op 75) BBC Philharmonic Vassily Sinaisky (conductor) Chandos CHAN9518, Tr 7 Cello Concerto, Op 87 (Allegro vivace) Quirine Viersen (cello) Flemish Philharmonic Marc Soustrot (conductor) Talent DOM292996, Tr 3 Anticipation/Beginning of the Storm; Hymn to the Great City (Bronze Horseman Suite, Op 89a) Edward Downes (conductor) Chandos CHAN9379, Trs 12-13 Night Comes, Op 50 No 1 Ekaterina Sementchuk (mezzo-soprano) Larissa Gergieva (piano) Harmonia Mundi HMN911881, Tr 17 Violin Concerto in G minor, Op 100 (completed and orchestrated by Lyatoshinsky) Yuko Nishino (violin) Philharmonia Orchestra Yondani Butt (conductor) ASV CD DCA 1129, Tr 1. Donald Macleod and Gerard McBurney survey Gliere's influence and legacy.