Liadov – The Enchanted Lake Op. 62
The Enchanted Lake Op. 62 (1909)
Anatole Liadov (1855-1914)
Liadov was a friend of Stravinsky with a reputation for laziness. When Liadov failed to fulfil his contract with Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, Stravinsky stepped in with the first of his four revolutionary ballet scores. Meanwhile, Liadov, who had been expelled from the St Petersburg Conservatory in 1876, went on to write a series of orchestral tone poems, which were highly regarded by his contemporaries, including his mentor, Rimsky-Korsakov.
Liadov’s love of nature combined with his research into Russian folk music formed the basis for many of these tone poems. The Enchanted Lake dreamily represents Lake Ilmen shimmering by starlight, effectively evoked through the use of slow trills and subtle changes of harmony.
Performed: 17/8/2014, 24/8/2014