Borodin · Alexander Borodin
Borodin Symphony No. 1 in E♭ major
The first symphony, written over five years under Balakirev's guidance
- Key
- E♭ major
- Composed
- 1867
- Premiere
- 1869 St. Petersburg
- Movements
- 4 movements
- Instrumentation
- Woodwinds 2·2·2·2 (2nd oboe doubling English horn) · Brass 4·2·3·0 · Timpani · Strings
The story behind this piece
The chemist Borodin met Balakirev around 1862 and began writing his first symphony under his guidance. Because he wrote it in the gaps between research and teaching, it took about five years to finish (1862–1867). It was premiered in St. Petersburg in 1869 under Balakirev, and encouraged by that experience, Borodin plunged straight into his Symphony No. 2. Later, Liszt even arranged a performance of this piece in Germany.
What to listen for
- Movement 2 scherzo: A trio in the style of a Russian folk song is tucked between the lightly bouncing scherzo sections.
- Movement 3 andante: Follow the long, lyrical melody. Borodin's characteristic 'singing' quality comes through well.
Listen · Score
Credits
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Borodin
- www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/74337
- interlude.hk/on-this-day-23-december-borodins-symphony-no-1-premiered/
- fugueforthought.de/2015/10/27/revisit-borodin-symphony-no-1-in-e-flat-major/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._2_(Borodin)
- imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.1_(Borodin,_Aleksandr)
- petrucci.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-12345_symphony_no_1_in_e-flat_major.html