DLXXIV. GLAZUNOV, Alexander: Symphony #6 in C Minor, Op. 58

DLXXIV. GLAZUNOV, Alexander (1805-1936)

Symphony #6 in C Minor, Op. 58 (1896)
1. Adagio -- Allegro passionato
2. Tema con variazioni: Andante
3. Intermezzo (Scherzo allegretto)
4. Finale: Andante maestoso
Moscow Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Anissimov, cond.
(38:08)

Seemingly an anachronism in an age when composers were experimenting in radically different forms, Glazunov remained stubbornly attached to the Tchaikovsky-like symphony.

He was an orchestrator par-excellence. His musical materials were bright and interesting, and he definitely does not deserve to have been buried in the trash heap of underperformed composers, as he seems to have been.

I urge you to check him out!!

First movement

A slow introduction climbs to a brief climax:

and a faster tempo:

A secondary theme; much calmer:

Both themes are developed and returned, before an exciting coda:

Second movement

A theme and seven variations, in the dominant G Major:

Var. I. The winds vary the theme with chromatic underscoring:

Var II. A change of meter (3/8) and a pastoral feeling beginning with a solo oboe:

Var. III. A key change (E Major), marked Scherzino, begun by the flutes:

Var IV. A short Fugato:

leads into Var V., in B Major, marked Notturno:

Var VI. (Allegro moderato) features the winds, but note how the strings -- in fleeting 16th-note triplets -- accompany them, moving along in a whirl ...

Var VII. Finale, opening with rugged punctuation by trumpets and trombones. The harmony moves gradually from E Minor to G Major.

Third movement

Intermezzo; E-Flat Major. Glazunov modulates to different key centers frequently in this delightfully light-hearted movement:

Fourth movement

Deep gravitas in the tonic (C Minor [with many modulations]) beginning in  4/2 meter:

Later, Glazunov moves to a subdivided 9/4, which seems to recall a Renaissance dance!

Triumphant finish in C Major: