“Festive Overture” was written in 1954 between the Tenth Symphony and the violin Concerto. The American premier of the Overture was given by the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel conducting, on November 16, 1955.
Despite the pomposity of the opening fanfares and the brass build-up just before the final presto, the character of the composition is exactly what the title claims : a joyous opener. Many precedents in Russian music from Glinka’s “Russian and Ludmilla Overture” to Kabalevsky’s “Colas Bruegnon Overture” can be found for this overture but it has its own contemporary roots and serves as an excellent curtain raiser by one of the great contemporary composers. Shop here
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