Alexander Glazunov : Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major Op. 48 (1893)

I. Andante. Allegro moderato 00:00-14:50
II. Scherzo 14:50-20:25
III. Andante. Allegro 20:25-32:55
Performed by the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Natan Rakhlin.
Thanks again to anotherglazunovfan for providing this recording.

[@dmitryyudenkov4107]

Как прозрачно и легко звучит оркестр у Рахлина! Обычно с плотностью глазуновской партитуры мало кто справляется. А здесь всё очень сбалансированно и при этом полнозвучно. И поэтому замечательная красота и яркая колористичность этой блистательной симфонии играет перед восхищенным слушателем всеми красками. Великолепная работа, браво!

[@windstorm1000]

Why isn't this ravishing work played more in concert halls?!

[@1966bdc1984]

In the U.S. at least, I suspect it's because most people have never heard of Glazunov and are unwilling to pay for a ticket to listen to something they "don't know and might not like." As a result, the orchestras schedule Beethoven's 5th for the umpteenth time.

[@operaman215]

Also it's because most US orchestras try to champion contemporary works so there is always at least 1 new work (or fairly new) in the concert lineup - living composers gotta eat. But the draw is usually something time-tested and that the average joe will have heard on TV or in movies.

[@kenm.3512]

I agree. It really should be a standard repertoire piece. It is that good!

[@johnjepsen4243]

@@operaman215 Glazy is great!

[@geraldbull9272]

Absolutely beautiful, a world apart from politics, sadly many never realise the message in this music, my world of dreams.

[@kenm.3512]

I really love this work. It's my favorite Glazunov symphony. I have listened to a few different versions of it. I find this recording to be most appealing. It has that charming, sunny lyricism that brings out the Glazunov 4th's best qualities.

[@ralphmadach55]

Beautiful Symphony! I love this Symphony!!!

[@shin-i-chikozima]

The comfort of this symphony is beyond compare

[@paulheffron4836]

I never thought of it that way but you're absolutely right.

[@AlsoSprach_Zarathustra]

The most original symphony by this kind of underrated composer. It's a sheer wonder, lovely from its very beginning to its radiant ending. I love it!!

[@DressedForDrowning]

A wonderful symphony. 😍

[@jorgesavarino7430]

Desde muy temprano estoy con Glazunov.Tofo lo que escuché es maravilloso.Graciad From Argentina Korge

[@rogerknox9147]

Love this Fourth Symphony (1893) -- both work and performance! Underlying certain portions of the first movement I sense the elegant waltz rhythm in which Alexander Glazunov excelled. (Compare the more obvious waltz feel in his symphonic picture "Spring," op. 34 [1891] composed two years before.) The second movement scherzo opens with a shout-out to the scherzo of Bruckner's Fourth. Both scherzos begin with a trio of horns and a passage in sequence over the I, ii, and V7 chords. Both scherzos are in Bb major, dominant key of the two Fourth Symphonies who share the home key Eb major. The opening is an acknowledgement from one late romantic master to another, then Glazunov goes his own way. The finale is wonderful, just seems to pour out of him in joyous creation, though I'm sure it wasn't so easy ...

[@migves540]

Wow, qué maravilloso trabajo.

[@jorgesavarino7430]

Hay alguna música que no me guste deGlazounov.NO.Los compositores rusos tienen algo que los occidentales carecen.En una misma composición dan tristeza alegría y una música excelente.Gracias.Rodders.Desde Argentina Jorge.

[@potrelviewer9536]

The last theme by the bass section at 30:28 is just so magical...

[@edwardprice1056]

It's a fact not often recognised, but Glazunov actually qualifies as the greatest romantic Russian symphonist, with Rimsky as the greatest Russian opera composer. I've loved the Glazunov symphonies ever since I came across them during my music student days. This one has one of the most enchanting opening movements I've heard. If you don't know them, try the 2nd, 5th, 6th and the magnificent 8th in rozdestvenskys recording. Considering some of tchaik's symphonies were of rather uneven quality, glazunov I find delivers every time. A fine set of nine.

[@italianshadow434]

Glazunov symphonies are fine, occasionally daring, works, but I dont think they can really compete with Tchaikovsky symphonies, specially last three. Glazunov symphonies can also be uneven (number 1, 7...). With the exception of number 6, I also don't think Tchaikovsky was a magnificent symphonists. I would certainly give that title to Miaskowski, he is considered a late romantic by all experts, in the same way Glazunov is a late romantic. And at least half of his 27 symphonies are amazing pieces.

[@danielsimon8754]

Glazunov's 4th is utterly sublime georgous music throughout. One fault though, only 3 movements. I wonder why he did not add a slow movement to this wonderful symphony.

[@thomaskiefner939]

Never given the recognition like Tchaikovsky, Glazunov remains a minor composer in the eyes of many except for his Violin Concerto and The Seasons. It is a wonderful schmalzy work that should be performed by symphony orchestras on a regular basis. At 32 minutes it fits nicely as the second work on the first half of the program. It has been said that Glazunov could listen to work and then play it from memory. It was also said he had a tube attached to a bottle he would drink from during his lectures. An interesting man who did not have the controversy about him so little has been written about him.

[@Danzig987]

Except for the premiere of Rachmaninov's First Symphony, which was conducted by Glazunov. One of the more disastrous "first outings" in symphonic lore ...

[@bird3714]

This is a Wonderful Russian Composer School!

[@sylviefrancois4117]

L'appel à la trompette dans ll'Allegro du 3ème mouvement, à 22:24 n'aurait -il pas inspiré John WILLIAMS dans l'intro de Star Wars?

[@vinceturner3863]

Also Holst, "The Planets"

[@BalbirSingh-gs2xi]

Persuasive sweetness.

[@TheVaughan5]

Thanks for the upload. Glazunov was a strange composer, as much as I’ve tried I really can’t get on with his symphonies. However the first movement of “From the Middle Ages” is for me at least, one of the most glorious works ever composed.

[@marcosrobertojuarez]

NICE MUSIC BUT I PREFER PIANO CONCERTO NO 1

[@robertgage2785]

I have come to love all of Glasinov symphonies. They are all beautiful and so well written. I agree.....underrated composer.

[@maxmerry8470]

Lyrical, yearning and beautifully melodic symphony. There is a fine, if unusual, symmetry to it with the two Andante/Allegro movements sandwiching the playful, dance-like Scherzo. Spine-tingling moment at start of the last movement, 20:27-22:24....

[@debjahdo1889]

Just listened to this again. After 3 years , still evocative & fine.

[@8moltovivace8]

Oh beautiful day! Thank you KZbin for recommending this to me!💜💜💜💜

[@Skidoo22]

This is Glazunov's greatest symphony. Floating on greatness 04:07

[@robertfrankgill5962]

Mahler7 Floating on greatness 4:07 - I fully agree. How about at 6:35 too?

[@bgccallahan4116]

That 2nd movement sends me flying over remote landscapes.

[@tehaueter]

What a performance....never warmed up to Glazunov's 4th until I heard this mesmerizing rendition...a shame Rachlin never got a chance to record all his symphonies...still, this is a treasure to cherish...

[@MegaCirse]

Ecouter Glazunov, c'est abolir le déferlement de bruits et d'images du quotidien pour entrouvrir l'espace d'un ailleurs où la contingence et la représentation cèdent la place à l'immatérialité du sensible. Une fois refermée la porte sur l'agitation du monde, un silence sous-jacent s'installe, une lenteur saisit, préludes à une dilatation de la perception et de la conscience. Le pouvoir expressif de l'architecture sonore rompt avec toute forme de transcription du réel pour s'attacher à l'expression d'un univers insaisissable

[@robertmackinnon9666]

This music brings out happy moments and pleasant thoughts. Very nice piece.

[@debjahdo1889]

This is mesmerizing in the most sublime of ways. I thank you

[@rupertsibelius7512]

Astounding, marvelous, illuminating , supernatural....

[@paulbeard4218]

The opening minutes are reminding me of Delius .

[@badinage100]

This is the recording which I have, albeit mine is on a Melodiya disc. Listening to it again, I realise that my comment about his Seventh Symphony being my favourite is, possibly, wide of the mark!

[@badinage100]

I am now unable to play my LPs so it was a pleasure to be able to listen to, and appreciate, this recording again. Despite the harsher sound, I much prefer it to Svetlanov's recording with the USSR SO.

[@zonszein]

Beautiful What a nice way to start the week

[@snowcarriagechengcheng-hun3454]

Thanks for uploading!

[@tuberobotto]

The one cherished recording I have of this symphony does not bear the same CD album cover, and it is coupled instead with the 5th symphony (back to back so to speak). It was nonetheless conducted by Rozhdestvensky with the "USSR MINISTRY OF CULTURE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA" (so-called) performing. The label bears the name "Melodiya Australia" where it was produced and manufactured under license from Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, Moscow. The performance was of course recorded in Russia. Now it's been 2 decades since I last looked at the details on my CD and I was a bit surprised to see the words "Melodiya Australia" as I had perceived entirely that the record company was based exclusively in Russia. Am I correct with that perception?

[@RoddersClassical]

Yes, Melodiya are based in Russia but sometimes they would have agreements with other countries for re-releasing their recordings. In the 1970's a number of Melodiya recordings were issued in Britain as HMV LP's, often with different couplings. In the CD era, Melodiya content appeared on the Olympia label in Britain, of which some of the early ones were released in the late 1980's in Australia with different packaging but the same programmes.

[@DAVEDIKIAN]

"Chant du Monde" in France did the same job for many years too.

[@tuberobotto]

Among the many themes and introductions I have heard from many composers, this one mesmerised me so as not to let go of it soon after I started listening to it back in the mid 90s. I read somewhere how that Rachmaninoff as a young man used to frequent Glazunow's concerts to hear this man's music. As I didn't know better, I asked myself who could this Glazunow be? He must be some kind of superstar back then to draw the likes of even Rachmaninoff to hear his music. Maybe he was accompanied by both Prokofieff and Shostakovich in those concerts? Kinda like a requirement by the conservatory? I don't know the answer. But it is clear to me how that Rachmaninoff must have drawn some inspirations or influences from Glazunow as evinced by the opening movement of Rachmaninoff's 2nd symphony. It's like a dead give-away, but this is not of course to disparage Rachmaninoff's extra-ordinary melodic skills.

[@DAVEDIKIAN]

Rachmaninoff ,as a student, have heard and appreciate his music. Glazunoff was introduced as the most talented pupil of Rimsky Korsakov. But Rach got angry with him for he premiered his 1rst symphony in "wrong conditions" (actually Glaz drunk a bit too much). More over Glaz forgot the original score in a taxi. The symphony was considered lost and finally ound in Leningrad in 1944...

[@chebstar]

A little bit of Lezginka

[@mjalonso651]

And to think this was before the famines of the 20's and 30's under that monster Stalin, the Russian people and their indomitable souls, peasants toiling away and the immensity of the wheat fields stretching clear to the horizon... Western Europe just does not have the same vastness, only the mighty 5 could express Russia properly, and then the others came behind them like Glazunov were mighty as well though they never garnered quite the same credit.

[@andrewpetersen5272]

Something to read Bunin to.