Borodin: Symphony No. 2

The symphony opens with a powerful unison theme that gives associations to Beethoven’s Fifth. There is plenty of drama there. Parts of the symphony’s material were also originally written for the abandoned opera Prince Igor (which he then picked up again in 1874). In the light and exuberant second movement, you can hear how Borodin was inspired by new brass instruments that he got to see and feel thanks to Rimsky-Korsakov. The finale is an exuberant and grand finale in major.
Recorded for GSOplay in Gothenburg Concert Hall in May 2025.