A Fall from Favour
Donald Macleod focuses on the time when Khachaturian was denounced by Stalin for formalism and his music fell out of favour.
His famous Sabre Dance was once the most frequently played piece of music in the world, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Aram Khachaturian.
Khachaturian was accustomed to having lavish praise heaped upon him. So it came as quite a surprise when, in 1948, he was charged with the crime of 'formalism', along with his composer colleagues, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Myaskovsky. Stalin had instigated a purge of the arts and Khachaturian was on the hit list. Suddenly, his music was out of favour. One of the works cited by Khachaturian's accusers was his Symphony No 3. At the end of its premiere, the audience sat in stony silence.
Khachaturian did his best to continue working, including further film projects. His music for the epic, Battle of Stalingrad, incorporated Russian folk music. By the early 1950s, more opportunities were coming Khachaturian's way, including the chance to work on another ballet. This would be his score for Spartacus, which includes his famous Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia.
Last on
Music Played
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Aram Khachaturian
Symphony no. 3 [Simfoniya-poema]
Performer: Simon Lindley. Orchestra: 大象传媒 Philharmonic. Conductor: Fedor Glushchenko.- CHANDOS.
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Aram Khachaturian
Spartacus - Adagio of Spartacus and Phyrgia
Conductor: Constantine Orbelian. Orchestra: Russian Philharmonic Orchestra.- DELOS.
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Aram Khachaturian
The Battle for Stalingrad - For our Motherland; to Attack! Eternal Glory to the Heros
Orchestra: Slovak R S O. Conductor: M. Adriano.- MARCO POLO.
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Aram Khachaturian
Sonata for piano - Allegro assai
Performer: Peter Waters.- DIVOX.
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Aram Khachaturian
Garun Yerevan
Aram Khachaturian (Voice and Piano)
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Aram Khachaturian
Zdravitsa
Aram Khachaturian (Voice and Piano)
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Aram Khachaturian
Garun Yerevan
Aram Khachaturian (Voice and Piano)
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Aram Khachaturian
Zdravitsa
Aram Khachaturian (Voice and Piano)
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Aram Khachaturian
Symphony no. 3 [Simfoniya-poema]
Performer: Simon Lindley. Orchestra: 大象传媒 Philharmonic. Conductor: Fedor Glushchenko.- CHANDOS.
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Aram Khachaturian
The Battle for Stalingrad - For our Motherland; to Attack! Eternal Glory to the Heros
Orchestra: Slovak R S O. Conductor: M. Adriano.- MARCO POLO.
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Aram Khachaturian
Spartacus - Adagio of Spartacus and Phyrgia
Conductor: Constantine Orbelian. Orchestra: Russian Philharmonic Orchestra.- DELOS.
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Aram Khachaturian
Sonata for piano - Allegro assai
Performer: Peter Waters.- DIVOX.
Broadcasts
- Thu 30 Oct 2014 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Thu 30 Oct 2014 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
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