I have loved this 13-minute orchestral piece since late childhood, when its dark mystical themes spoke to my own moody ponderings. The somber “Lento mistico” theme gives way to a calmer, upward inclining themes that use old Russian Orthodox hymns. The whole thing is woven together by brief violin cadenzas that set off the contrasting sections.
My musical background has helped me appreciate the mastery of this piece on many levels, as it moves towards its shimmering, triumphant climax. My heart finds the mixture of shadow and light, and the Russian flavor to be very satisfying. (Hmmm. I’ll have to think about what makes the flavor Russian, but, for now, I just know when its there.)
In this piece, Rimsky-Korsakov hoped to combine “reminiscences of the ancient prophecy and of the gospel narrative,” cumulating in the “pagan merrymaking” of the Easter service, according to the score I have. But, even without the program, or extra-musical story, I would be drawn to its uplifting energy and modal beauty.
Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36 is worth a listen for Easter, or any time of year. Anyone else out there enjoy this mystical Russian expression?
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Hi Jill,
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was browsing through some of my cds and thought to myself, "I wish my little orchestra could play "Russian Easter" or "Scheherazade". I have great affection for "Russian Easter" too. I too wonder what makes something "sound Russian". (My little orchestra just performed "Russian Sailor's Dance" on Saturday...and I had that very thought...(Not that the "Russian Sailor's Dance" comes anywhere near Rimsky-Korsakov!)