Balakirev wanted his circle to concentrate on writing symphonic works in order to create a body of orchestral masterpieces which would put his new Russian style on the map. But his fellow composers couldn't resist the temptation of the theatre. Today Donald Macleod looks at some of the operas produced by the group.
Musorgsky Coronation scene (
Boris Godunov ) Slovak Philharmonic Chorus,
Choirof Berlin Radio, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Claudio Abbado
Musorgsky Final scene (Boris Godunov ) Helmut Wildhaber , Sergei Larin and Alexander Fedin (tenors), Gleb Nikolsky (bass), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Choir of Berlin Radio, conductor Claudio Abbado Rimsky-Korsakov Overture and Scene 1 (The Maid of Pskov) Galina Gorchakova (soprano), Olga Korzhenskaya , Ludmilla Filatova and Evgenia Perlasova (mezzos), Chorus and Orchestra of Kirov Opera, conductor Valery Gergiev
Borodin Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor) Chorus and Orchestra of Kirov Opera, conductor Valery Gergiev