Symphony No.5 in D major - Nikolai Myaskovsky

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Edward Downes

I - Allegretto amabile - Allegro tenebroso e con anima: 0:00
II - Lento - Quasi andante: 11:15
III - Allegro burlando: 22:17
IV - Allegro risoluto e con brio: 26:24

Myaskvovsky's fifth symphony was written simultaneously with the previous one, between December of 1917 and April of 1918. It was premiered in Moscow on August 18 of 1920 with great success, directed by Nikolay Malko. After it's triumphant premiere, it was presented in Madrid, Prague, Vienna, Chicago and Philadelphia. In New York, Stokowski conducted it with great success among the public.

It's the first symphony of Miaskovsky written in a major key (D major), which means a more positive mood in his writing. Influenced by popular music as later called the so-called socialist realism. It can be considered that Soviet Russian symphonism was being born.

The first movement begins quietly, presenting a theme of slow pastoral dance on the clarinet. The theme receives more intensity when its taken by the orchestra. When its strength decreases, the second theme appears, first in a fragmented form, until it gains strength and is interpreted with all its intensity. A theme of great lyrical strength in the Russian style. Then the development section begins, which ends with a solemn interpretation of the second theme in a really impressive way. The recapitulation begins with the first theme exposed in a calm manner, ending with a soft coda.

The second movement presents a melancholy lullaby, showing a mysterious atmosphere. Written in ternary form (A, B, A,) the central part presents a more agitated theme. Then the two themes are combined in a fugue form reaching great drama. Finally it returns to the mysterious tranquility of the first part until it reaches the final coda.

The third movement is the scherzo of the symphony. The main theme is taken from folklore. It is a Christmas song, a Ukrainian koliadka. Myaskovsky picked it up during the time he spent on the Austrian front in Galitzia, near Lvov. Galitzia, in Polish Galicja, is a region of Poland, in which the famous Czestochowa sanctuary is located. This light theme combines it with similar melodies.

The last movement is written in sonata form. It presents an impetuous first theme, followed by a second calmer one. The themes are combined during the development, forming an almost cinematic music environment. In the recapitulation the second theme of the first movement reappears, which is interpreted in the form of a hymn in a solemn manner, leading to the triumphant coda.

The great success of this work was due to the fact that it fulfilled the expectations of the Russian symphonic audience. A clear work supported by popular rhythms, easy to understand.The comunist interventionism will press classical composers for works like this, creating the music of the soviet realism.

Picture: A photograph of the red square by night, Moscow.

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

Видео Symphony No.5 in D major - Nikolai Myaskovsky канала Sergio Cánovas