SYMPHONY NO.1 THE POEM OF ECSTASY

Russian National Orchestra Mikhail Pletnev Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) О ДИВНЫЙ ОБРАЗ O YOU, THE UTMOST Меццо-сопрано: Mezzo-soprano: Ты силы, павши я в борьбе, When, exhausted in heat of battle, БОЖЕСТВА GRACE OF LIFE No. 1 in E Major, Op. 26 Чудесно к жизни призываешь, The warrior seems doomed to fail, 1 Lento 7. 47 в уме усталом и больном Yet you support him with your strength, 2 Allegro drammatico 10. 54 Меццо-сопрано: Mezzo-soprano: ты мыслей новых строй рождаешь. And help him fi ght, help him prevail. 3 Lento 11. 05 О дивный образ Божества, O you, the utmost grace of life, 4 Vivace 4. 00 Гармоний чистое искусство! You noble art of harmony, Тенор: Tenor: 5 Allegro 7. 56 Тебе приносим дружно мы We glorify, we praise you here Ты чувств безбрежный океан You are the wellspring of pure joy, 6 Andante 13. 36 хвалу восторженнаго чувства. And celebrate your melody! рождаешь в сердце восхищенном A godsend to refresh the soul, и лучших песней песн поёт When you fulfi ll the sorely heart, Svetlana Shilova, Soprano (track 6) Тенор: Tenor: твой жрец тобою вдохновленный. All pain fades gently, seeps away. Mikhail Gubsky, Tenor (track 6) Ты жизни светлая мечта, You enter into our existence, Chamber Choir of the Conservatory (track 6) Ты праздник, ты отдохновенье, Sweetly to adorn our fates, Меццо-сопрано и тенор: Mezzo-soprano and tenor: Alexander Solovyev, Chorus Master (track 6) Как дар приносишь людям ты Glory, honour, splendour, praise, Парит все властно на земле In you, all is granted us свои волшебныя виденья! To you, o wondrous art of notes! Твой дух свободный и могучий, That gifts the soul with peace and bliss, 7 The Poem of Ecstasy (Symphony No. 4), Op. 54 21. 22 Тобой поднятый человек Let us but stay beneath your shield – Меццо-сопрано и тенор: Mezzo-soprano and tenor: Свершает славно подвиг лучший. Ne’er comfort in sorrow shall we miss. Vladislav Lavrik, (track 7) В тот мрачный и холодный час, Where want and sorrow of all kind Norbert Gembaczka, Organ Когда душа полна смятенья Oppress and torment lowly man, Придите все народы мира, So ready lips and throats, resound! Russian National Orchestra В тебе находит человек From heav’nly heights your soft Искусству славу воспосме! Sing hail in praise of art! Conducted by Mikhail Pletnev живую радость утешенья. approach Alexander Bruni, Concertmaster Will comfort him with sound and song. Хор: Choir: Слава исскуству во веки слава! Hail to the noble, noble art, hail! Total playing time: 76. 56 “That Poème de l’extase? Put it on loud. Philosophy and of a colour keyboard of his own symphonic projects to come. Following it is this movement that can be said Scriabin’s teacher, Vasily Safonov. process, that would touch the roots of invention. Not surprisingly, his music is Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov’s sharp to occupy the work’s interpretational all existence.” In Scriabin’s development His music sounds like I think – sometimes. ecstasy diffi cult to ‘pigeonhole’ and continues criticism of the orchestration of the centre of gravity. The First Symphony Initially, Scriabin’s philosophy was of the symphonic genre as a vehicle for to elicit divergent reactions. Piano Concerto, the young composer documents a search for salvation and rooted primarily in natural philosophy his philosophical programme, Le Poème Has that far-off cosmic itch. Divinely The position occupied by Alexander responded self-confi dently: “It is easy unifi cation, both of which can only be and pantheism: “No science provides de l’extase, would signify a signifi cant Scriabin in musical life around the Having attained prominence as a to say: ‘study orchestration!,’ but there found in art: “May your mighty and free such clear and simple answers to so milestone... fouled up. All fi re and air. The fi rst time turn of the 20th century can be piano virtuoso, and before gaining a is only one way to do that, namely: spirit reign all-powerfully on earth; and many questions as Nature herself.” characterised as entirely unique. On the reputation as a composer, Scriabin, hearing one’s own works performed.” humanity, lifted up by you, perform a But after 1900, the composer came In the First Symphony, Scriabin I heard it I played it over and over. […] one hand, a phenomenal piano virtuoso in 1898, secured a position as a piano noble deed. Come all nations of the increasingly under the infl uence of expanded the traditional four- and the composer of attractive piano instructor at the . In 1899, Scriabin began writing his most world and let us sing praises to art!” such philosophers as Kant, Fichte, movement formal scheme with It was like a bath of ice, cocaine and pieces reminiscent of Chopin, on the He soon however found that giving ambitious composition up to that With the fi nale of the First, Scriabin did Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Solovyov a prologue and epilogue. The other, a trail-blazer for the musical lessons was getting in the way of time: the First Symphony. The work still not however make things particularly and, above all, the theosophist, Helena Second Symphony (1902) has fi ve rainbows. For weeks I went about in a avant-garde in search of new modes his composing. With the exception refl ects the infl uence of the traditional easy for himself. The artistic Blavatsky. As Scriabin’s friend, the movements, whose fi rst two and last of expression and – at the same time – of the Piano Concerto (1896), up to four-movement formal scheme. The committee of the publishers, Belyayev, composer and musicologist Oskar two movements, respectively, form trance. Something had happened to me.” a megalomanic mystic, philosopher that time, Scriabin’s compositional fi rst movement, in form (Allegro declared the symphony unperformable, von Riesemann, put it: “Music, for continuous wholes. Scriabin devised and high priest who regarded himself eff orts had primarily been focused dramatico), is followed by a slow due to the tessiture of the fi nale’s vocal whose very sake he came into the the three movements of the Third as God, Scriabin’s aim was nothing on short piano pieces. But now he movement (Lento), a scherzo (Vivace) parts. And, despite an acerbic response world, ultimately off ered his boundless Symphony, entitled Le divin Poème less than to unite humanity through was becoming more ambitious. In and an Allegro, again in sonata form. from the composer, the committee imagination a much too narrow (1902–1904), as one great unifi ed form, Henry Miller: ‘Nexus’ (1960) his theosophically inspired music in an the same year, he composed a short But Scriabin also framed the symphony got their way: at the work’s ‘premiere’ room for manoeuvre. This art, which a clear indication that it was conceived eternal realm of love. Scriabin, who, orchestral piece, entitled Rêverie, which with an introductory movement in slow on the 11th of November 1900, the was indeed his life element, would as a hybrid between the symphony and as a result of his synesthetic abilities, already exhibited several features of tempo and a monumental choral fi nale fi nale was not performed. It was not nevertheless cease to exist as an the tone poem. saw colours when he heard chordal his later style. In general, the works with a text of his own composition, until four months later that the fi rst independent form of expression for his formations, wanted to make these of this period can be regarded as and, like the fi nales of Beethoven’s performance of the entire symphony creative spirit; it would dissolve to form While still working on the Third, colours visible to listeners by means ‘fi nger exercises’ in preparation for the Ninth Symphony and Mahler’s Second, took place, under the of part of a much profounder creative Scriabin was already putting pen to paper with the preliminary ideas of the same name. Scriabin wanted although, at diff erent moments during well and loved. But both the harmonic Russian National Chopin festivals, and the BBC Proms. is a private institution funded with the Mikhail Pletnev for a new symphonic work, which to have the 370-line poem, which the performance, we were entirely and thematic material of the work, as support of individuals, corporations and would ultimately grow into Le Poème describes the struggle of the divine confused by the newness of the music. well as its contrapuntal voice-leading, Orchestra The RNO has made many recordings foundations throughout the world. In Conductor de l’extase, a composition which, in human being for freedom and oneness We had expected something surpassing resembled nothing we had ever heard for PENTATONE, including one of recognition of its artistry and path- essence, was a , but with all of his fellow human beings in the divin Poème, which we both knew before.” The Russian National Orchestra P r o k o fi e v ’ s Peter and the Wolf and breaking structure, the RNO was the Mikhail Pletnev’s genius as pianist, to which Scriabin repeatedly referred an all-encompassing ecstatic love, was founded in 1990 and today is Beintus’s Wolf Tracks. Conducted by fi rst non-governmental orchestra to conductor and composer enchants as his ‘Fourth Symphony.’ And rightly included in the orchestral score, but recognized as one of the world’s Kent Nagano and narrated by Sophia receive grant support from the Russian and amazes audiences around the so, as its structure indeed unites four his publisher, who found that the notes top orchestras. Of its debut at the Loren and Bill Clinton, the disc received Federation. globe. He was Gold Medal and First traditional components of classical alone were suffi cient for any conductor, BBC Proms in London, the Evening a 2004 Grammy, making the RNO Prize winner of the 1978 Tchaikovsky sonata form, viz.: an introduction refused to do so. Standard wrote, “They played with such the fi rst Russian orchestra to win the For more information, visit www.rno.ru. International Piano Competition when and exposition, a development, captivating beauty that the audience recording industry’s highest honor. he was only 21, a prize that earned a recapitulation and a second Le Poème de l’extase received its gave an involuntary sigh of pleasure.” The RNO’s Shostakovich cycle on him early recognition worldwide. An development with a coda. ‘The Poem christening in New York, on the 10th of The Russian National Orchestra’s PENTATONE is widely acclaimed as “the invitation to perform at the 1988 of Ecstasy’ is based on a number of December 1908, after a performance towering artistic achievement is most exciting cycle of the Shostakovich superpower summit in Washington led extra-musical ideas. Originally, Scriabin in had had to be aborted grounded in a passionate commitment to be put down on disc, to a friendship with intended to place the fi rst line of the due to the score’s great diffi culty. to excellence and innovation evident in and easily the best recorded.” and the historic opportunity to make Internationale, “Stand up, damned However, when it fi nally did take all that it does. (SACD.net) music in artistic freedom. of the Earth,” as a motto above the place, the Russian premiere, on the score. But in 1906, his poem, Le Poème 1st of February 1909, wound up being The RNO is a frequent guest in the The orchestra maintains a full Moscow In 1990 Pletnev formed the fi rst de l’extase, appeared, which can a true happening. The then young music capitals of Europe, Asia and the season and has established the independent orchestra in Russia’s be regarded as a summing up of his composition student, Sergei Prokofi ev Americas. The founding orchestra of annual Grand Festival, which opens history. Many of the country’s fi nest philosophical programme and which wrote: “Myaskovsky and I sat next to Napa Valley Festival del Sole, the RNO the Russian capital’s cultural season musicians joined Pletnev in launching served as the defi nitive philosophical each other and consumed the Poème Mikhail Pletnev also performs at prominent venues each September. Unique among the the Russian National Orchestra. Under basis for the new symphonic work de l’extase with the greatest of interest, © Russian National Orchestra such as the Edinburgh, Shanghai and principal Russian ensembles, the RNO his leadership, the RNO achieved in a few short years a towering stature performance alone would be enough Chamber Choir choral Boyarynya Morozova was Svetlana Shilova Amneris in (Irina Arkhipova Mikhail Gubsky (The Netherlands) and took part in a among the world’s orchestras. Pletnev to secure Pletnev a place among the awarded with an ECHO Klassik. presents Opera Festival, Diego Crovetti, performance of Rakhmaninov’s The describes the RNO as his greatest greatest pianists ever known.” Of The Moscow Soprano conductor), Spring in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Tenor at the Carnegie Hall (conducted joy and today continues to serve The chief artistic focus of the (Mariinski Theatre, St. by James Conlon). In 2008, he sang as its Artistic Director and Principal Pletnev’s compositions include works Conservatory Chamber Choir is to perform works by After graduating from the St. Petersburg), Marta in Iolanta (Warsaw Born in Magnitogorsk, Russia. Shuisky () at the Conductor. for orchestra, piano, strings and contemporary composers from Russia Petersburg State Conservatory, and Dresden), Olga in Graduated from Samara Technical Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. In voices. Today he is one of Russia’s most The Chamber Choir of the Moscow and other countries. Svetlana Shilova took her fi rst steps (Madrid), the Death in Stravinsky’s University (1993) and Samara 2009, he performed the title role in Pletnev’s performances and recordings respected and infl uential artists. An Conservatory was created on the Alexander Solovyev, artistic director as a soloist as Paulina in The Queen of The Nightingale, Cat’s Cradle Songs Academia of Arts (1997; Prof. Galina P r o k o fi e v ’ s Semyon Kotko in Cagliari have proved him to be an outstanding advisor on Russia’s Cultural Council, initiative of Professor Alexander Sokolov of the Chamber Choir of the Moscow Spades and Olga in Eugene Onegin at (Festival d’Aix en Provence, Lyon and Sorokina). From 1994 he was a soloist (a co-production by Teatro Lirico di interpreter of an extensive repertoire, in 2007 Pletnev was awarded a in December 1994 by an outstanding Conservatory and associate professor, the Musical Theatre of St. Petersburg Quebec). with Samara Opera Theatre, and a Cagliari and Mariinsky Theatre). both as pianist and conductor. His Presidential Prize for his contributions choral conductor of modern times - the was a close colleague of Professor Boris Opera. soloist with Moscow’s Novaya Opera recordings have earned numerous to the artistic life of the country. People’s Artist of Russia, Professor Boris Tevlin since August 2012. Company from 1997. Since 2001, he has Since 2004, he has been the co prizes including a 2005 Grammy Award Pianist, conductor, composer and Tevlin (1931 2012), who permanently In 2002 she debuted at the Bolshoi also appeared at the . ordinator and artistic director of the for the CD of his own arrangement, for cultural leader — all are signifi cant headed the choral ensemble until the Theatre in Moscow in the role of Marfa He has toured in USA, Canada, From Heart to Heart Music Festival, two pianos, of Prokofi ev’s Cinderella. facets of Mikhail Pletnev’s life as an end of his days. The chorus has won the in and she sang at the Japan, France, Germany, Austria, which is held under the patronage of He received Grammy nominations for artist. Yet he considers himself, simply, International Competition of Choruses reopening ceremony of the historical/ , Switzerland, Finland, Slovenia the local government of Samara. a CD of Schumann Symphonic Etudes a musician. in Italy (1998), Germany (1999), Austria main stage of the Bolshoi in October and Poland. In 2003, he took part In 2007-2011, he was artistic director and for his recording of Rachmaninov (2000), Poland (2003) and Latvia 2012. in a Russian National Orchestra of the Samara Theatre of Opera and and Prokofi ev Piano Concertos No. 3 (2014). In 2002 the Chamber Choir was performance of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Ballet. with the RNO and conductor Mstislav the only Russian chorus to represent Shilova has performed on many minor (conducted by Kent Nagano) Rostropovich. BBC Magazine called Russian choral music at the 6th World European opera stages and festivals. at Moscow’s International House of his 1996 Gramophone Award-winning Forum of Choral Music in Minneapolis She sang Khivrya in Sorochinsky Fair Music. In 2004, he sang the role of The album of Scarlatti’s Keyboard (USA). In 2008 the Chamber Choir’s (Roman Kofman / Tony Palmer), Hussar in a performance of Mavra at “piano playing at its greatest... this recording of ’s Russian Gertrude in Hansel and Gretel (Bonn), the Igor Stravinsky Festival in Arnhem Vladislav Lavrik U.S. National Trumpet Competition. Acknowledgments Vladislav has played in many countries Trumpet all over the world. His previous festival Executive producers Liner notes appearances include the Europalia Rick Walker & Job Maarse Ronald Vermeulen Vladislav Lavrik, one of the most international arts festival in Brussels, talented musicians of his generation, Bermuda Festival, Beethoven Festival, Recording producer English translation is Russia’s fi nest trumpeter and a rising Western Carolina University Trumpet Edo Groot Nicholas Lakides young conductor. Born to a family Festival (USA), Homecoming, of musicians, Lavrik’s early training Crescendo Festival, Stars on Baikal and Russian National Orchestra Balance engineer German translation included both piano and trumpet. others. © Russian national Orchestra Erdo Groot Franz Steiger After completing a master’s degree in trumpet performance at the Moscow Recording engineer Cover photo State Conservatory, he began the opera Roger de Schot Alexander Scriabin and symphonic program at © Lebrecht Music & Arts the Gnesin Academy of Music. Editing Since 2006, Lavrik has been a Yamaha Erdo Groot Design Artist in Russia and, since 2008, a Joost de Boo member of the trumpet faculty of the Audio recording & Postproduction Moscow State Conservatory. In 2011 Mikhail Gubsky Lavrik Svetlana Shilova Polyhymnia International B.V. Product manager he was elected to the board of the © Katya Mironova Angelina Jambrekovic International Trumpet Guild, the fi rst Russian to be given this recognition and Chamber Choir Of The Moscow Conservatory This album has been recorded at the DZZ Studio 5 in Moscow, Russia responsibility, and he has frequently © Denis Rylov in March 2014. Organ has been recorded at the St. Ludwig-Kirche served as a member of the jury for the in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, Germany. Premium Sound and Outstanding Artists

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