7. Symphonie

(1922)

for orchestra

Short instrumentation: 3 3 3 3 - 4 2 3 1 - timp, hp, cym, b.d, str

Duration: 25'

Instrumentation details:

1st flute

2nd flute

3rd flute (+picc)

1st oboe

2nd oboe

cor anglais

1st clarinet in Bb

2nd clarinet in Bb

bass clarinet in Bb

1st bassoon

2nd bassoon

contrabassoon

1st horn in F

2nd horn in F

3rd horn in F

4th horn in F

1st trumpet in C

2nd trumpet in C

1st trombone

2nd trombone

3rd trombone

tuba

timpani

cymbal

bass drum (+t-tam)

harp

violin I

violin II

viola

violoncello

double bass

Mjaskowski - 7. Symphonie for orchestra

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Work introduction

Nikolaj Mjaskowski’s Symphony No. 7 awakens many associations among listeners: the rare violin solos are reminiscent of Karol Szymanowski, a short passage recalls Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, while two agitated, dramatic passages evoke The Miraculous Mandarin. As the ballet was written sometime later, it begs the question as to whether Bartók could have heard Mjaskowski’s music or if it was – as is more probable – pure coincidence. Fleeting echoes of Russian folk melodies add a richness to the scene. On the whole, however, Symphony No. 7 is a highly dramatic piece of music with few moments of calm; it could even be programme music.