Sergei Liapunov
(1859-1924)
Symphony #2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 66 (1917)
Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra/Yevgeny Svetlanov
Naïve V4974 61:54
Lyapunov's two most important influences were Serge Taneyev and Mili Balakirev, and while there are passages which remind the listener of both composers, this symphony is somewhat more ambitious than comparable works by either, and to some extent reflects the turbulent period during which it was composed. Svetlanov was a champion of his country's music and gives an exciting account of this work, recorded in concert with little evidence of an audience's presence until the end.
