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Track(s) taken from CDH55224

Triumphal March, Op 40

composer
author of text
Hymn in praise of Christopher Columbus, in Russian

Stephen Coombs (piano), Holst Singers, Stephen Layton (conductor)
Recording details: June 1995
Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Paul Spicer
Engineered by Ken Blair
Release date: May 1996
Total duration: 9 minutes 41 seconds
 

The most extended and interesting of these transcriptions is the Triumphal march, Op 40. Originally for ‘grand orchestra and chorus’, the music opens with a repeating short motif which only hints at what is to come. A solemn interlude follows, of such Wagnerian influence that it is impossible to tell whether it is serious or tongue-in-cheek. The sudden appearance of one of America’s best-known tunes is a pure joy, and the entry finally of the chorus singing a hymn of praise to Christopher Columbus (in Russian) an unexpected pleasure. Clearly Glazunov had a sense of humour. The Russian text translates as:

Glory to centuries of hardy struggle, that left us an inheritance of steadfast faith and hope! Hail, heroes of long-past years! The dawn of liberty gleamed on their holy course, their hardy path was lit by that dawn! A great genius—God’s radiant gift—cleft the oceans by his mighty will; splendid was the new world found by him … Hail, Columbus, from age to age, hail, Columbus, hail! Hail to you, hero, hail! Let us sing a grand hymn in praise of the heroes of long-past years; faith and hope will lead us towards fame! Glory and praise to you heroes, glory and praise, praise to you!

from notes by Stephen Coombs © 1996

La plus vaste et la plus intéressante de ces transcriptions est la Marche triomphale, op. 40. Originellement conçue pour grand orchestre et chœur, la musique s’ouvre sur un court motif à répétition, qui ne fait qu’insinuer ce qui suit. Vient alors un solennel interlude, d’une influence wagnérienne telle qu’il est impossible de déterminer s’il est sérieux ou d’une ironie voilée. L’apparition soudaine d’une des mélodies américaines les plus connues est une pure joie. Enfin, l’entrée du chœur chantant, en russe, une hymne de louange à Christophe Colomb est un plaisir inattendu. Glazounov avait, de toute évidence, le sens de l’humour.

extrait des notes rédigées par Stephen Coombs © 1996
Français: Hyperion Records Ltd

Die umfangreichste und interessanteste dieser Transkriptionen ist der Triumphmarsch, op. 40. Ursprünglich für vollständiges Orchester und Chor komponiert, beginnt die Musik mit einem sich wiederholenden kurzen Motiv, das das Bevorstehende nur eben andeutet. Es folgt ein feierliches Zwischenspiel von solch wagnerischem Einfluß, daß es unmöglich scheint, festzustellen, ob es ernst oder ironisch gemeint ist. Das plötzliche Auftauchen einer der bekanntesten Melodien Amerikas ist eine wahre Freude, und das schließliche Einsetzen des Chores, eine Lobeshymne auf Christopher Columbus singend (in russisch), ist ein unerwartetes Vergnügen. Glasunow war zweifellos ein humorvoller Mann.

aus dem Begleittext von Stephen Coombs © 1996
Deutsch: Ute Mansfeldt

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