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   Russian musical culture - both operatic and symphonic - draws attention by the multiplicity of the two West-European dances: polonaises and waltzes.  Theses dances first took root in the Russian "artistic soil" and gave rise to many masterpieces.  They are an original and remarkable phenomenon of Russian music.  While instrumental and choral polonaises were written by the predecessors of M. Glinka, it was he who transformed the polonaise from an attribute of court life into a genuine Russian art.
   A. Glazunov enriched the history of the Russian waltz by his symphonic pieces and ballet scenes.
   "Waltz Capriccio", with its close connection to Russian natural folk color,  is one of A. Rubinstein's best symphonic works. 
   P. Tchaikovsky's waltzes are a precious page of Russian musical heritage.  His waltz from the opera "Eugene Onegin" shows well his inspiration and high dramatic art.  The entire scene of the "Ball at the Larins" is based on this waltz.
   The Polish solemn dance-procession, polonaise, penetrated into Russian life and influenced composers' creative activity even at the end of the 18th century.  Polonaises from "Cherevichki" and "Sleeping Beauty" by  Tchaikovsky, "Boris Godunov" by M. Mussorgsky, and "Christmas Eve" by N. Rimsky-Korsakov bring a feeling of festivity to these operas.

Waltzes and Polonaises by Russian Composers

    A. Glazunov
1. Waltz from the ballet "Raymonda" - 5:15
2. Waltz from the ballet "Lady Soubrette" - 6:11
3. Waltz from "Ballet Suite", Op. 52 - 5:44
    A. Rubinstein
4. Waltz capriccio - 6:11
    P. Tchaikovsky
5. Waltz from the opera "Eugene Onegin" - 6:33
    N. Rimsky-Korsakov
6. Polonaise from the opera "Christmas Eve" - 4:39
7. Polonaise from the opera "Pan Voyevoda" - 6:52
    M. Mussorgsky
8. Introduction and Polonaise from the opera "Boris Godunov" - 6:35
    A. Glazunov
9. Polonaise from "Ballet Suite", Op. 52 - 5:33
    P. Tchaikovsky
10. Polonaise from the opera "Cherevichki" - 6:10
11. Polonaise form the ballet "Sleeping Beauty" - 4:04

The USSR Symphony Orchestra
Conductor, Evgeni Svetlanov