Nikolai Sidelnikov; Charles Ives - Russian Fairy Tales; Pieces (Alexander Lazarev)

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Composer: Nikolai Sidelnikov; Charles Ives

1. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 1, There, Beyond the Hills, the Russian Land Lies
2. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 2, Mosquitoes Are Singing, the Swamps Are Scary
3. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 3, Cranes Are Flying High Up in the Sky
4. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 4, Bogs and Fogs
5. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 5, The Wood Spirit and Mermaids Dance in a Round
6. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 6, Miraculous Flowers Blossom in the Meadows; If the Wind Blows, They Will Hide
7. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 7, Shepherd Girls Play Old Songs There, But in a New Way
8. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 8, Magic Cities Are Reflected in the Lakes; If a Stone Is Thrown, the City Will Disappear
9. Sidelnikov - Russian Fairy Tales: No. 9, Beautiful Girls Go Berry Picking Far … So Far
10. Ives - "All the Way Around and Back" Scherzo for Chamber Ensemble
11. Ives - "By the Sea" Adagio sostenuto
12. Ives - Tone Roads No. 1 for Chamber Ensemble
13. Ives - Innate
14. Ives - "Over the Pavements' Scherzo
15. Ives - Calcium Light Night
16. Ives - Three Outdoor Scenes: No. 1, Halloween

Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra

Alexander Lazarev, conductor

Date: 1981 / 2026

Label: Melodiya

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Nikolai Sidelnikov’s Russian Fairy Tales (1968) is a vibrant, divertissement-style composition subtitled “Concerto for Twelve Soloists,” emphasizing virtuosic performance. Inspired loosely by the tradition of Russian buffoons, the work seeks to capture their spirit through a blend of modern expressive techniques, ranging from rich sonorities to jazz elements. Structurally, it functions as a programmatic concert: the first four movements serve as exposition, followed by four “fairy tales” that develop thematic material. The coda evokes an expansive, timeless perspective. Widely performed internationally, the piece reflects Sidelnikov’s broader output, which includes symphonies, oratorios, choral works, a ballet, and an opera.

Nikolai Sidelnikov (1930–1992) was a prominent Russian composer, professor at the Moscow Conservatory, and recipient of major state honors, including the Glinka Prize. Recognized as a key figure in late 20th-century Russian music, he produced a vast body of work spanning symphonies, operas, ballets, chamber, vocal, and choral compositions, as well as film scores. Deeply influenced by national culture and composers such as Igor Stravinsky, he developed a distinctive polystylistic approach blending folklore, classical traditions, and modern elements like jazz and rock. His творчество reflects broad literary and artistic influences, emphasizing the universality of cultural expression.