Symphony No.9 in E minor - Nikolai Myaskovsky

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Edward Downes.
I - Andante sostenuto - Moderato malinconico (con moto) - Tenebroso (mosso) - Tempo sostenuto - A tempo, ma inquieto - Sostenuto - Moderato come prima - Tenebroso (mosso) - Sostenuto poco - Moderato tranquillo: 0:00
II - Presto - Pochissimo meno presto - Poco maestoso - Poco a poco accelerando al tempo giusto - In tempo - Stringendo: 10:27
III - Lento molto: 17:36
IV - Allegro con grazia - Poco più sostenuto, abbandonamente - Tenebroso, ma in tempo - Moderato pesante - Tempo I - Poco più sostenuto, abbandonamente - Più mosso sempre stretto - Presto - Molto fastoso: 26:36
Myaskovsky's Symphony No.9 was begun shortly after his return from Vienna, composed in parallel with the tenth symphony between 1926-7. Both ended almost simultaneously at the end of 1927. It was premiered in Moscow on April 29 of 1928, conducted by Konstantin Saradzhev. The work is dedicated to the Ukrainian conductor Nikolai Malko, who had premiered the fifth. Myaskovsky was not sure whether the work would become a symphony or a suite. He called it an "undefinable music-beast".
The first movement is structured in ternary form. It begins with an ambiguous, decadent main theme presented through very chromatic and dissonant chords. A second, melancholic theme of folkloric character is introduced by the strings, which is contrapuntally developed. The middle section begins with a lyrical and romantic third theme of Russian flavour, presented by the clarinet and taken by strings. The music grows more expressive and passionate but doesn't reach a firm climax. The opening chords reappear, leading us to the recapitulation of the two main themes. A low-key coda ends the movement.
The second movement is a scherzo in a modified sonata form. It opens with a portentous and lively main theme, introduced by a brilliant fanfare and fully exposed with a fantastic touch. The lyrical second theme of folkloric roots is presented by flute and glockenspiel. Follows a bright and colourful development in which these themes are transformed as they alternate each other. The music grows more intense and fierce, culminating with thunderous climaxes. There is no formal recapitulation, instead the second theme leads us to a rushed and accelerated coda.
The third movement is structured in ternary form. It begins with deeply lyrical and beautiful main theme, presented by the clarinet over strings and harp. It is passionately developed. The middle section begins with a solemn motive appearing on strings, almost like an ancient Russian hymn, which is then fully exposed by the brass. A powerful and expressive climax is then reached with the whole orchestra. A haunting transition of the woodwinds and string tremolos leads us to the recapitulation, with the main theme in the clarinet as passed to the orchestra. The movement ends with a pensive coda.
The fourth movement is written in rondo form (A-B-C-D-A'-A''-Coda). It opens with a joyful and romantic main theme, Tchaikovskian in character, which becomes darker. A more tense and rhythmic second theme is soon presented. The lyrical main theme from the previous movement reappears as the third theme, being more desperate and afflicted. It is then followed by the chromatic and dissonant main theme from the first movement as fourth one. The main theme is joyfully recapitulated but with some troubled touches. A much darker passage leads us to a turbulent recapitulation of the main theme. A dissonant but triumphal coda ends the whole work.
Picture: "The Pretenders" (1852) by the French painter Gustave Moreau.
Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: bit.ly/37mCxG4 and bit.ly/37mCvhq
To check the score: bit.ly/3AZMGn0

[@rogernortman9219]

One of his most profound, introspective, thought-provoking, probing, emotionally varied symphonies. Miaskovsky doing what he does best.

[@robindale9352]

I agree, but don't forget, also very beautiful. There are some exquisite passages throughout.

[@bowerdw]

Mysakovsky certainly did crank out intense symphonies.

[@bobhourigan7626]

Sad and melancholy at times,joyous at others but always majestic. Thks so much for the post.

[@b.vireloup8458]

The most tragical and impressive slow movement of all music of Russia. Tragical but not vigourless nor desperate.

[@meikichi60]

スヴェトラーノフ一択は困るので、ダウンズ指揮イギリス名門オケによるインターナショナルなミャスコフスキー！
スヴェトラーノフは曲に寄っては素晴らしい物も有るけど、ダウンズの9番と5番のカップリングはとても素晴らしい！
日本ではマルコ・ポーロからCD出したっきり。NAXOSで廉価盤出せば良いものを。まあ、CD売れない時代ですからね。
この演奏は本当に素晴らしい！

[@yowzephyr]

0:00 is a good place to start.

[@rogernortman9219]

DEpressing but profound

[@rogernortman9219]

To Sergio Canovas, Please contact me here. Thank you.

if you want to contact with me you can send me an email at [e-mail]

[@MrBoogallo]

First movement taken far too quickly ...Svetlanov is much much better.

[@Rombik97]

Well, Svetlanov is definitely *the* reference with Russian music in general and Myaskovsky in particular... BUT I think this is just a different take on it, a different interpretation (in the broader sense), and it's beautiful to find different recordings of Myaskovsky.
If you think about it, we're all used to the different approaches to Mahler, Sibelius, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky and so on - I find getting this diversity with Myaskovsky, Lyatoshinsky and other lesser known 20th century composers is something that we should be grateful for! :)

[@MrBoogallo]

@@Rombik97 Grateful ...yes indeed for the diversity .But that achingly beautiful melody at 4'20 in the first movement seems almost perfunctory here .Miaskovsky was a melancholic through and through and his best work is always in the slower movements of his symphonies .

[@Rombik97]

@@MrBoogallo yes, i do agree with you that the melody at 4:20 is taken way too quickly, it was the part that struck me the most when listening to this version... glad to find a fellow Myaskovsky appreciator!! have a nice weekend

[@steveegallo3384]

@@MrBoogallo -- I remember once hearing Toscanini's Die Meistersinger Vorspiel....Way too fast. Then much later Bernstein's....slow majestic brilliantly paced....Wow!

[@MrBoogallo]

@@steveegallo3384 I will look out for those ..Another recent example I turned up was Richters St Matthew Passion ..Lots of folks think its far too slow but it has a gravity about it for me .th-cam.com/video/pf4UNJqv_-A/w-d-xo.html