A Meeting of Unequals

Available for 29 days

The Mighty Handful, who collaborated between 1856 and 1881, changed the direction of Russian music, permanently freeing it from Germanic influences, and setting the scene for the country’s ground-breaking music in the 20th century. Who were these five composers? What was the dynamic between them, and what conditions fomented their musical iconoclasm? In this episode Donald Macleod tells the story of the concert which gave the group their name, attended by the critic Vladimir Stassov. We meet the leader of The Five, Mili Balakirev, as he encounters the composer/writer Cesar Cui, whose music would turn out to be the least enduring of the group: “The poorest composer – the loudest talker”. And we meet the young Mussorgsky, who was still serving in the Russian military. Balakirev’s composition lessons did not help the fledgling composer – his teacher’s in-at-the-deep-end approach overwhelmed him. Balakirev’s authority derived largely from having met and studied with Glinka, seen as the key figure in modern Russian music. We hear the story of their meetings and the impact they would have on Balakirev’s life. Balakirev lacked formal training, and regarded this as a strength – he wanted to throw off the influence of Western musical imperialism, to show how vibrant Russia’s musical culture was. Stassov was a kindred spirit. Balakirev travelled the Caucasus to collect folk songs, which found their way into a number of his works. Balakirev - Octet for Winds, Strings and Piano London Conchord Ensemble. Balakirev - In Bohemia, Symphonic Poem BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Vassily Sinaisky, conductor Glinka - A Life for the Tsar - Overture Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra Mark Ermler, conductor Mussorgsky: A Night on the Bare Mountain London Symphony Orchestra Antal Dorati, conductor Balakirev: Overture on Russian Themes No.1 Norwegian Radio Orchestra Ari Rasilainen, conductor