Elegy: Music by Glazunov, Tchaikovsky, Borodin Jacopo Taddei, Roma Tre Orchestra, Sieva Borzak

• Alexander Glazunov (1865 - 1936): Theme and Variations for String Orchestra in G Minor, Op. 97:
• 1 Glazunov: Theme and Variations for String Orchestra in G Minor, Op. 97 13:29
• Concerto in E-Flat Major for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, Op. 109:
• 2 Glazunov: Concerto in E-Flat Major for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, Op. 109 15:02
• Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893): Elegy for String Orchestra in Memory of Ivan Samarin, TH 51:
• 3 Tchaikovsky: Elegy for String Orchestra in Memory of Ivan Samarin, TH 51 09:58
• Elegy from String Serenade in C Major, Op. 48:
• 4 Tchaikovsky: Elegy from String Serenade in C Major, Op. 48 09:23
• Alexander Borodin (1833 - 1887): String Quartet No. 2 in D Major:
• 5 Borodin: String Quartet No. 2 in D Major: III. Nocturne 08:02
• Total Runtime 55:54

Info for Elegy: Music by Glazunov, Tchaikovsky, Borodin

Hidden behind the late 19th century’s great symphonies, sumptuous ballets and concertos with moving climaxes is something much more thoughtful and contemplative. A delicate sonic world, where silence is as important as sound, marked by pianissimi and a veiled, almost restrained feeling of melancholy. This secret landscape comes courtesy of a few precious pieces for string orchestra by three Russian composers, all active at approximately the same time.

Glazunov’s vast oeuvre for orchestra demonstrates his extraordinary talent for orchestration.

However, his pieces for smaller ensembles are just as noteworthy. These include the Theme and Variations in G Minor Op.97 for string orchestra, which evolved from a string quintet he wrote in 1895. The extremely simple theme in 3/4 has the feel of a solemn, ancient dance, simultaneously nostalgic and sombre.

In another example of Glazunov’s crystal-clear yet expressive writing, the string orchestra provides the backdrop and conversation partner for a solo instrument that was a rarity in concertos at the time: the saxophone. Overall, despite the explosive counterpoint in the work’s final movement, it is a dreamy composition, never overly dramatic, and subdued and melancholy in places: almost elegiac, in other words.

The elegy, with its meditative tone, typically written to reflect sadness at a death, ill-fated love or similar, is not a genre one tends to associate with Tchaikovsky. However, the two elegies he composed for string orchestra – the Elegy in Memory of Ivan Vasil’evich Samarin and the third movement of the String Serenade in C major Op.48 – are highly refined works that reveal another side to the famous composer.

In the same period that Tchaikovsky was writing his elegies, between 1880 and 1885, the composer and chemist Alexander Borodin was drafting his second Quartet, dedicated to his wife Ekaterina for their 20th anniversary. The third movement, a Nocturne, is one of Borodin’s finest works. It was therefore not only written at the same time as Tchaikovsky’s elegies, but also shares their gracefulness. Borodin’s night is clear, full of celestial visions and lofty tremolos. While the elegy provides the perfect space for reflection, memory and individual thoughts, these are also three elements that are intrinsically linked with the night, making Borodin’s Nocturne a fitting conclusion to a cycle of elegies and elegiac works.

This beautifully conceived program offers works for string orchestra by Russian composers, sharing an elegiac and melancholic mood, expressed in the warm and sonorous sound of string instruments, from the deep warm buzzing of the celli to the soaring melodies of the violins.

Presented are the beautiful, unique Saxophone Concerto by Glazunov, as well as that composer’s Theme & Variations for string orchestra, the two Elegies for strings by Tchaikovsky (one of them from the famous Serenade for Strings Op. 48), and the popular Nocturne from the second string quartet by Borodin, arranged for string orchestra.

Roma Tre Orchestra is the first academic Orchestra established in Rome and in Lazio. It was founded in 2005, it aims at dedication, excellence and at spreading of great music especially among younger generations. Its conductor in Residence is Sieva Borzak. The saxophonist Jacopo Taddei is the winner of the prestigious 2015 Claudio Abbado Music Prize.

Jacopo Taddei, saxophone
Roma Tre Orchestra
Sieva Borzak, conductor

Jacopo Taddei
Saxophonist Jacopo Taddei is creating sensation on the international classical music scene. Recognized for his brilliant technique, exuberance and finesse, Jacopo first came into the limelight in 2015, after winning the prestigious Claudio Abbado Prize and the Prize of the Milan Conservatory.

Born on January 28th,1996 on the Elba Island (Tuscany, Italy), Jacopo began his musical studies at the age of eight. He studied at the Pesaro Conservatory, in Federico Mondelci’s class, and graduated Summa cum Laude and Honourable Mention. Then he got his Master’s degree in Saxophone at the Milan Conservatory, Summa cum Laude with honours, under the guidance of Mario Marzi.

Between 2006 and 2018 Jacopo was the winner of twenty-four Absolute First Prizes in international competitions: to name just a few, the Salieri- Zinetti, the Luigi Nono, the Francesco Cilea di Palmi.

In 2015, at Umbria Jazz Clinics, Jacopo got a scholarship for the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was awarded a further substantial fellowship in 2016.

Jacopo plays recitals in the most famous concert halls, among which the Teatro Argentina, the Sala Santa Cecilia, the Parco della Musica in Rome; the Sala Verdi, the Auditorium, the Auditorium of the Università degli Studi, the Teatro degli Arcimboldi, Teatro Dal Verme, Teatro Litta and Teatro Filodrammatici in Milan; the Teatro d’Opera del Maggio Musicale in Florence; the Berklee Performance Center in Boston.

He performs as soloist with renowned orchestras, among which the Moscow Soloists Orchestra, UniMi Orchestra, Divertimento Ensemble, G.A.M.O Ensemble. He has played with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, the Orchestra de I Pomeriggi Musicali, the Orchestra dei Conservatori italiani. In 2019 Jacopo has been appointed first solo soprano saxophone chair of the Orchestra of the Teatro Regio in Turin.

He has been conducted by celebrated conductors, such as Yury Bashmet, Antonio Pappano, Daniele Gatti, Yoichi Sugiyama, Daniel Smith, Bruno Aprea, Viktoriia Vitrenko, Francesco Gesualdi.

Taddei performs regularly at festivals for Les Jeunesses Musicales, Società Umanitaria, Festival Omaggio all’Umbria, Festival Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa, Amici della Musica di Padova. Some of his concerts have been broadcast by the Italian National Channel RaiRadio3 and Radio Popolare.

During the Season 2017/18, remarkable concerts were his debut in New York City (opening concert of New York Chamber Music Festival), in Miami (Miami International Piano Festival Academy) and in Hong Kong (Y Theatre). Season 2018/19 will feature Jacopo as Artist in Residence for the Società dei Concerti in Milan; he will also make his first appearance in the billboard of La Verdi Orchestra concert season at the Auditorium of Milan.

In 2019, he made solo recitals at the Italienisches Kulturinstitut Stuttgart. Performances with orchestra include, in 2020, concerts as soloist with the Nuremberger Symphoniker at the Milan Conservatory-Sala Verdi, and in Nuremberg.

Jacopo released his second CD produced by Concerto Classics and Skira, after the first one by Michelangeli Editore-Suonare News. He is the dedicatee of music composed by Christian Lauba, Francesco Libetta and Alessandro Solbiati.

In June 2017 he was awarded the Medal of the Italian Chamber of Deputies by its President in Montecitorio - as a recognition of his talent.

In May 2019 he was invited to the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro to hold a master class.

Booklet for Elegy: Music by Glazunov, Tchaikovsky, Borodin