DLXXXIX. GLAZUNOV, Alexander (1865-1936)
My interest in Glazunov (see Posts CDXLV, CXCVII, DXI, CDXVI, DLXXIV and CCCXXVI) was piqued when I discovered how much his student, Dmitri Shostakovich, adored his teacher and -- with some qualifications -- championed his "old-fashioned" music!
Glazunov studied with Rimsky-Korsakov, who taught him the art of orchestration. Since Rimsky literally wrote the book on the subject (and yours truly has studied since childhood), it cannot be denied that his student -- however stodgy his fuddy-duddy turn-of-the-century music seemed to others -- soaked up the ability to write dazzling, colorful orchestral music.
I own his complete works (available on Naxos) and consistently find them delightful.
Raymonda is a full-length ballet set in medieval Hungary. The title character is engaged to Jean de Brienne, who has been called away to the Crusades. She is also coveted by the Saracen knight Abderakhman, who plans to abduct her. The White Lady (Dame blanche), a guardian spirit of Raymonda's noble family, appears and prevents the abduction, and Abderakhman is killed in combat by Jean de Brienne. Thus the action ends with Act II. The third act honors the happy couple.
Introduction:
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