It seems strange that such a celebrated composer as Alexander Borodin actually spent much of
his life as a distinguished research chemist. While working as a professor in Chemistry at the
University of St Petersburg in 1862 Borodin met pivotal composer Mily Balakirev who
encouraged him to explore the musical world and began to tutor him in harmony and
counterpoint. The rest as they say is history. The First Symphony is notable for the rhythmic
interest of the first movement and the lively second movement which shows the influence of
Mendelssohn with the third movement full of heartfelt romanticism-- a fitting contrast to the
resplendent final movement. The work is followed by In the Steppes of Central Asia a symphonic
poem dedicated to Franz Liszt and in which Russian and Asiatic folk-tunes are combined with
other techniques to create a utopian image of the Russian landscape. Then comes the iconic
Symphony No.2 regarded by many as the pinnacle of Borodin's symphonic achievement. Completing
the line-up is the Symphony No.3 in A minor -- a work that remained unfinished at the time of
Borodin's death but was later completed by the young prodigy Alexander Glazunov who perfectly
captured the older composer's style. The Symphonies are performed by the Symphony Orchestra of
the Bolshoi Theatre conducted by Mark Ermler while In the Steppes of Central Asia is played
by Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Loris Tjeknavorian. Other information: -
Recorded 1994 1996 & 2000. - The symphonies of Alexander Borodin the chemist amateur-composer
have a distinct Russian character in the refined orchestral textures in the Mendelssohn
Schumann tradition infused with folkloristic elements and a general feel of the melancholy of
Russian landscapes. - Excellent performances by the elite orchestra of the Bolshoi conducted
by Mark Ermler a specialist in Russian repertoire. - Contains extensive notes on the composer
and music.
