David Dalle
Thursday September 29th, 2022 with David Dalle
Ukrainian symphonic cycle. The symphonies of Boris Lyatoshynsky. A farewell to Pharoah Sanders.

Today we continue with the symphonies of Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshynsky. I wrote a brief description of his life and career in the first program, where you can also listen to his 1st symphony: https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/57119.html And his 2nd symphony here: https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/57431.html Today we will listen to his 3rd symphony. This symphony from 1951 proved to be his most beloved work, particularly with his fellow Ukrainians. It premiered in 1951 in Kyiv and was rapturously received. Soviet authorities thought differently, however, and Lyatoshynksy was severely censored and was told to modify the finale, which he had subtitled "Peace will conquer war". They particularly didn't like this sentiment, and he was accused of being a "bourgeois pacifist". Lyatoshynksy did modify the finale in 1954, removed the subtitle, and then it received a successful Moscow premiere. The symphony is in four movements and makes much use of a Ukrainian folk melody, which is introduced as the 2nd theme in the opening movement. The first three movements are full of titanic struggle and violence with occasional moments of delicate beauty. The final movement in the 1955 revised version has an optimistic ending, whereas the original version ended in tragedy. Some commentators prefer the original version, but, at this time, with Ukraine fighting for its very existence, I find the revised version with the hopeful ending, after the immense struggle proceeding it, is the most fitting.