Credits:

Yanna Gandelman, Dmitri Yablonsky, Kyiv Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra

Description:

Kalaev was an Azerbaijani composer active in the 20th century. His expressive works inspired the next generation of composers and consequently contributed greatly to the development of Azerbaijani music. "Symphony No. 1," composed in 1943, is one of Kalaev's masterpieces. It is a work full of energy in which folk-like melodies develop organically, with the full performance of the orchestra's instruments, and sometimes wild, sometimes nostalgic harmonies can be heard. The other piece, "Violin Concerto," was composed in 1967; during his first visit to the United States in 1961, Kalaev met Stravinsky and was strongly influenced by him. As a result, his style changed dramatically from the "Symphony No. 3" composed in 1964 to this violin concerto, in which the percussion instruments play an active role in every direction. The strong violin passages, expressive woodwind section, and other aspects of this modern work strongly suggest the neoclassical style of music. Yablonsky has previously released two Kalaev works on NAXOS, Symphony No. 3 (8.570720) and Ballet Music (8.573122). Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Symphony No.1 in B minor I.Molto sostenuto.Allegro
2.Symphony No.1 in B minor II.Lento moderato
3.Violin Concerto I.Allegro moderato
4.Violin Concerto II.Andante
5.Violin Concerto III.Allegro