Symphony No.1 in C major - Anatoly Luppov

State Symphony Orchestra of the Tatar ASSR conducted by Nathan Rachlin

I - Allegro dramatico: 0:00
II - Andante sostenuto: 10:10
III - Allegro: 16:58

Luppov's first symphony was composed in 1964. Written in three movements, it is an accesible tonal work, despite being extremely dissonant at parts. Unfortunatelly, we have no more context around the work.

The first movement is written in sonata form. Begins with a dissonant and determined main theme. A deeply contrasting lyrical theme is introduced by a flute solo supported by the wood, full of an exotic slavic flavour. Passionately taken and expanded by the strings. The development is tense, being based on the main theme. The music reaches a strong climax in the form a dissonant march. Then follows a sort of anticlimax, with acid brass calls. A varied recapitulation begins with the calm of the lyrical second theme, with the oboe in the solo role. Echoes of the determined main theme can be heard in the tense coda, ending quietly.

The second movement is structured in ternary form. Opens with a meditative theme presented by strings. The music slowly rises, becoming more intense and dramatic. The theme is briefly developed, culminating an extremely dissonant climax. The middle section begins with a tense rhythmic line from the bassoon, which passes to the rest of the wood and brass over the strings. The whole orchestra takes said line in a new dissonant climax. The meditative main theme is recapitulated by the english horn, with the rhythmic line in the background. Instead of a formal coda, the music simply stops after a decrescendo.

The third movement is written in sonata form. Begins with a series of strong chords, leading to a vigorous folkloric theme. In contrast, the second one is warmly lyrical, introduced by the strings. After a strong climax, the short development begins with a variation of the main theme in form of a solemn march, presented by the brass. After a messy climax, a pholyphonic passage for strings comes in a meditative mood. Then comes a varied recapitulation of first two themes. A grandiloquent coda ends the work with resolution.

Personal thanks to Corentin Boissier for making this music available on youtube. To check the original video: https://bit.ly/3pwjUCx

Picture: "A Cossack Outpost" (1883) by the Russian painter Franz Roubaud.

Source: https://bit.ly/3s3yvXW Musical analysis greatly expanded by myself

Видео Symphony No.1 in C major - Anatoly Luppov канала Sergio Cánovas