Beschrijving

This ‘Tsar Boris’ was the same Boris Godunov who was celebrated by Pushkin and immortalized by Mussorgsky, and Kalinnikov’s (1866-1901) resplendent piece is aptly endowed with Tsarist pomp and circumstance.A 79-bar introduction, Moderato assai, presents all the main material, and this is followed by a brisk alla breve Allegro, in wich vigorous material heroics are offset by softer, minor-key themes suggestive of purpose, struggle and achievement. The fortissimo eruption of fanfares near the end is a splendid theatrical touch.