Boris Lyatoshynsky - Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (Theodore Kuchar)

Information

Composer: Boris Lyatoshynsky

• (01) Symphony No. 4 in B flat minor, Op. 63
• (04) Symphony No. 5 in C major 'Slavonic', Op. 67

Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra

Theodore Kuchar, conductor

Date: 1993 / 2014

Label: Marco Polo / Naxos

https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.555580

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Review

[...]

It was twelve years before Lyatoshynsky completed his Symphony No. 4 in B flat minor, Op. 63 in 1963. It was introduced the same year under the baton of Ukrainian Nathan Rachlin at Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) and met with glowing critical acclaim. A number of critics not only praised the significance of the symphony in Ukrainian music but comparisons were made with works by composers such as Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Bartók. Containing that characteristic bold brass opening the first movement is predominately upbeat for the first half. Providing a stark contrast from 6.20 the second half is unruffled with a rather impressionistic quality. In the central movement heavy brass writing is pitted against a lightly atmospheric rather murky undertow. Becoming increasingly frequent is the employment of chimes to represent tolling bells. A dramatic opening to the Finale becomes unceasingly nervy and energetic before developing a deep melancholy - a pattern that is repeated during the movement. Bells are prominent in the comparatively peaceful close.

Following close on the heels of the Fourth Symphony is the Symphony No. 5 in C major ‘Slavonic’, Op. 67 written in 1965/66. Since the 1950s Lyatoshynsky had become interested in Slavic folk music and the title ‘Slavonic’ reflects his integration of traditional Slavic folk material into each of the three movements. A characteristic brass fanfare opens the Fifth Symphony. The writing has an upbeat rather cheerful, dance-like quality that gradually adopts a more serious expression with a martial quality bordering on the warlike. At the jubilant ending to the score the chimes ring out strongly as if granting affirmation.

Throughout these discs the excellent and well prepared orchestra under Kuchar gives powerfully expressive performances that are often gripping and always compelling. No problems whatsoever with the clear and well balanced recorded sound.

The symphonies of Boris Lyatoshynsky are certainly well worth getting to know. Those wanting to try something away from the mainstream and admirers of Slavic symphonies will be in their element.

-- Michael Cookson, MusicWeb International

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Dec14/Lyatoshynsky_sys_8555578.htm

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/n/nxs55578a.php

http://www.classicalmusicsentinel.com/KEEP/keep-lyatoshynsky.html

https://www.naxos.com/reviews/reviewslist.asp?catalogueid=8.555580&languageid=EN

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Boris Lyatoshinsky, or Lyatoshynsky (January 3, 1895 – April 15, 1968) was a Ukrainian composer, conductor, and teacher. He was a student of Reinhold Glière and a leading member of the new generation of twentieth-century Ukrainian composers. He wrote a variety of works, including five symphonies, symphonic poems, and several shorter orchestral and vocal works, two operas, chamber music, and a number of works for solo piano. His early compositions were greatly influenced by Scriabin and Rachmaninov, while his later musical style developed in a direction similar to Shostakovich.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Lyatoshinsky

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Theodore Kuchar (born May 31, 1963 in New York City) is a Ukrainian American conductor of classical music and a violist. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and was principal violist in Cleveland, Helsinki and Cape Town. Kuchar was Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine from 1994 to 2000, recording over 60 compact discs for Naxos Records and its Marco Polo label. Kuchar has been Chief Conductor of the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005, and Artistic Director of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra since 2011.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Kuchar

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