Borodin Symphony 1 Program Notes, recordings and sheet music

Symphony No. 1 in E-flat Major

Alexander Borodin’s First Symphony, a work of youthful exuberance and remarkable maturity, stands as a testament to his burgeoning genius and his unique voice within the vibrant landscape of 19th-century Russian music. Composed between 1862 and 1867, it marks a significant early achievement for a composer who, perhaps more than any other, balanced a brilliant scientific career with his profound musical passion.

While the Symphony No. 1 doesn't possess the immediate programmatic allure of the Polovtsian Dances, it is nonetheless rich in melodic invention and character. The opening movement, marked Allegro, immediately showcases

Symphony No. 1 in E-flat Major

Alexander Borodin’s First Symphony, a work of youthful exuberance and remarkable maturity, stands as a testament to his burgeoning genius and his unique voice within the vibrant landscape of 19th-century Russian music. Composed between 1862 and 1867, it marks a significant early achievement for a composer who, perhaps more than any other, balanced a brilliant scientific career with his profound musical passion.

While the Symphony No. 1 doesn't possess the immediate programmatic allure of the Polovtsian Dances, it is nonetheless rich in melodic invention and character. The opening movement, marked Allegro, immediately showcases Borodin’s gift for broad, sweeping melodies and a powerful sense of drama. The slow movement, an Andante, provides a lyrical contrast, featuring beautiful woodwind writing and a poignant, almost contemplative atmosphere. The energetic Scherzo bursts forth with rhythmic vitality and a playful spirit, while the Finale brings the work to a triumphant and exhilarating close, brimming with the kind of nationalistic fervor that would later define much of Borodin's output.

Borodin's dedication to his scientific career, often to the amusement (and occasional frustration) of his fellow composers, meant that his musical output was, by necessity, a labor of love squeezed in between demanding duties as a professor of chemistry. His wife, Ekaterina Protopopova, herself a talented pianist, was a constant source of encouragement and even acted as a musical secretary at times. There's a charming anecdote that during the composition of this very symphony, Borodin would often find inspiration at unexpected moments. He might be in the middle of a complex chemical experiment, suddenly dash to the piano to jot down a melody, and then just as quickly return to his lab, leaving his colleagues to wonder if he was brewing music or a new compound! This delightful habit of interspersing his scientific and artistic pursuits perhaps explains the freshness and unburdened spirit that permeates this early symphonic effort. Despite the interruptions, the First Symphony was a success, premiering under the baton of Mily Balakirev – the leader of "The Mighty Handful" of Russian composers – who was a great champion of Borodin's work.

This symphony offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Borodin's craftsmanship in its purest orchestral form, before the more overtly oriental flavors of his later works. It's a work that deserves its place in the repertoire, full of beauty, energy, and the unmistakable voice of one of Russia's most endearing composers.