Highlighting the masterpieces and popular works of Mikhail Glinka, the pioneering composer of Russian music
Mikhail Glinka, a Russian composer.
He was the first to create truly Russian music for the nation and the first Russian composer to gain wide renown abroad, earning him the title “the father of modern Russian music.”
He actively formed friendships with contemporary poets and painters; in particular, under the influence of the poet Pushkin, he began writing distinctly Russian works.
In this article, we have picked out some of Glinka’s masterpieces and popular pieces.
While his works are naturally Russian in character, they also possess a romantic and unique atmosphere—some pieces convey a Chopin-like sweetness, and others are sets of variations based on melodies from operas that were fashionable at the time.
Many of his compositions express a love for Russia, so please enjoy his music!
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[Mikhail Glinka] Introducing famous and popular pieces by the pioneering composer of Russian music (21–30)
Spanish Overture No. 1Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka
Spanish Overture No.
1, “Capriccio Brillante on the Theme of the Jota Aragonesa (Capriccio brillante sobre la Jota aragonesa).” Performed by the Murcia Regional Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gonzalo Berná, at the Victor Villegas Auditorium and Congress Center in Murcia, Spain.
Spanish Overture No. 2Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka
Spanish Overture No.
2: Memories of a Summer Night in Madrid (Noche de verano en Madrid), composed in 1851.
Performed by the FM Classic Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Luciano Di Martino.
Recorded at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria.
[Mikhail Glinka] Introducing Masterpieces and Popular Works by the Pioneer of Russian Music (31–40)
Galop-Style Improvisation on the Theme from Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore”Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka
Impromptu in the style of a galop on the barcarolle from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
Performed by the Moscow piano duo sisters: Anastasia Gromoglassova and Lyubov Gromoglassova.
Brilliant Divertimento on a Theme from Bellini’s Opera “La sonnambula”Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka
Divertimento brillante on themes from Bellini’s opera La sonnambula in A major.
Performed by pianist Lyudmila Georgievskaya and the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan.
Viola Sonata in D minor, 1st movementMikhail Ivanovich Glinka
From Viola Sonata in D Minor (Sonata in D Minor for Viola and Piano), Movement I: Allegro moderato.
Performed by Paul Silverthorne, viola, and Aglaia Tarantino, piano.
A concert at LSO St Luke’s, run by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Viola Sonata in D minor, Movement IIMikhail Ivanovich Glinka
Viola Sonata in D minor (Sonata in D Minor for Viola and Piano), Movement II: Larghetto ma non troppo.
Performed by Viola: Nora Romanoff, Piano: Mathias Susaas Halvorsen.
From a concert at De Singel in Antwerp, Belgium.
From Piano Trio “Pathétique” in D minor: Movement I and Movement IIMikhail Ivanovich Glinka
From ‘Trio Pathétique in D minor’: I.
Allegro moderato, II.
Scherzo.
Performed by Manako Yamamoto, clarinet; Miho Tanaka, bassoon; and Ritsuko Kawashima, piano.
At the Powell Flutes Japan Artist Salon.