Symphonic Suite No.1 “Komsomol: Leader of Electrification“ - Gavriil Popov

American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leon Botstein. I - Largo. Cantabile: 0:00 II - Grave: 4:06 III - Intermezzo. Allegro - (attacca): 6:02 IV - Valse. Allegro - (attacca): 10:52 V - Fugato. Allegro risoluto: 14:23 Popov’s Suite was composed in 1933, after writting the soundtrack of a documentary titled “Komsomol: Leader of Electrification“ in 1932, a contemporary chronicle of the progress of establishing electricity across the Soviet nation, an effort spearheaded by the Komsomol (the Young Communist League). It was directed by Esfir Shub and released in time for the 15th anniversary of the October Revolution. The suite was premiered in Leningrad on December of 1933 with success. The film was one of the first with sound in the country. Direct sound recording and dubbed sound were combined with the symphonic music Popov scored for the film. Although it occupies a modest amount of time, Popov’s original music is adventurous and highly interesting for several re