CXVI. MYASKOVSKY, Nikolai: Symphony #2 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 11

CXVI. MYASKOVSKY, Nikolai (1881-1950)

Symphony #2 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 11 (1911)
1. Allegro
2. Molto sostenuto -- Adagio serioso, ma espressivo
3. Allegro con fuoco -- Presto
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Gottfried Rabl, cond.
(42:06)

Not to be confused with the great poet, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Nikolai showed his talent at a young age, but was discouraged from a career in music by his military family.

But eventually -- in 1906, at 25 years old -- he enrolled in the St. Petersburg Conservatory, studying with Lyadov and Rimsky-Korsakov.

The oldest student, he became fast friends with the youngest, Sergei Prokofiev, who would have been about 15.

Often described as the "father of the Soviet symphony," Myaskovsky wrote 27 of 'em! That's just one less than the combined total of Tchaikovsky (6), Prokofiev (7) and Shostakovich (15)!

This one -- an early effort -- shows the distinct influence of Tchaikovsky, yet has such originality in form, development of ideas, which frankly never reach the idyllic lyricism of Tchaikovsky's, for example -- but which are more motivic, cellular pieces which he slowly develops and refashions.

Take this slightly strange theme, filled with chromatic movement, which permeates the first movement:

The second movement is even stranger, opening with a haunting chromatic movement and a plaintive bassoon:

The third movement opens with lower strings in unison, barking out a weird theme which begins with a leap of a Major Seventh: