Symphony No.9 in E minor - Nikolai Myaskovsky

BBC Philarmonic conducted by Sir Edward Downes

I - Andante sostenuto - Moderato malinconico con moto: 0:00
II - Presto: 10:27
III - Lento molto: 17:36
IV - Allegro con grazia: 26:35

Myaskovsky's ninth symphony was started shortly after his return from Vienna. Composed in parallel with the tenth symphony. Both ended almost simultaneously at the end of 1927. It is dedicated to the director Nikolay Malko, who had premiered the fifth.

The first movement does not use the sonata form, using a ternary structure. It starts with dissonant chords in Miaskovsky's own style, until the theme appears in a more defined tone. A melody of melancholic type is presented below, which develops contrapuntally. A metal transition motif is heard before moving on to the next section. The central part of the movement is occupied by a quiet romantic melody. Then the initial chords reappear, before repeating the first theme. After new transitional chords, the main theme ends the movement with a resigned and sad melancholy.

The second movement corresponds to a scherzo, which uses the sonata form. The first theme is alive, but not very determined. The music is colorful including the sound of the harp and the bells, in the second theme of Christmas character, in a more clear and rhythmic way. After a brief development, which culminates with a lively interpretation of the second theme, the themes are recapitulated in the opposite direction.

The third movement presents its first theme of Russian folk character through the clarinet, accompanied by the string and harp. In the central part the flute presents a new undulating theme accompanied by cellos and basses. Then the main theme is played by the oboe in his recapitulation, to then go to the orchestra. The movement ends with a thoughtful coda.

The last movement is written in the form of a rondo. The main theme is presented by the violas rhythmically. It also takes material from the first movements. The atmosphere becomes more sinister during development. In the central part the melancholy of the slow movement reappears, interrupted by the main theme as it corresponds to the rondo form, until arriving at the determining coda.

Picture: "The Pretenders" (1852) by the French painter Gustave Moreau.

Sources from this spanish website on Myaskovsky symphonism: http://www.historiadelasinfonia.es/naciones/la-sinfonia-en-rusia/miaskovsky/

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