Symphony No.2 ''Of the Good and Simple People" - Manolis Kalomiris

Bulgarian RTV Orchestra & Chorus conducted by Byron Fidetzis. Markella Hatziano as the mezzo-soprano.

I - In the Plains. Allegretto vivo: 0:00
II - Pastoral Idyll. Moderato, ma non troppo lento: 15:27
III - Near the Hearth. Scherzo: 29:19
IV - On the Mountain. Finale: 36:22

Kalomiris' Symphony No.2 was composed in 1931, being premiered on January 10 of 1932 at the Olympia Theatre in Athens. It was performed by the Athens Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and the National Conservatory Student Choir conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos, along with Eleni Nikolaidi as the mezzo-soprano. Unfortunately, there is no more info available about the piece.

The first movement is purely orchestral, being written in sonata form. It begins with an ambiguous introduction of oriental air, which leads us to a rhythmic main theme derived from said material. An expressive and lyrical second theme is then presented by the wood and taken by strings, reminiscent of Armenian music. A vigorous and epic development ensues, full of contrasting episodes. The reappearance of the main theme leads us to a portentous climax before the development continues. A short pause then takes us to the recapitulation, culminating in another climax. A boisterous coda ends the movement.

The second movement features the chorus, being free in form. It opens with sinister textures from strings and woodwinds, the woods performing virtuosic arabesques and ornaments. The chorus enters vocalizing, creating a mysterious music more akin to a barbaric pagan ritual than a pastoral idyll. In the central part, the music rises in an unsettling climax. The chorus becomes more insistent, leading us to a dissonant and rough climax. The sinister calm of the opening is recapitulated, but it seems to grow into another menacing climax. In the end, an uplifting coda ends the movement.

The third movement employs the mezzo-soprano, being a scherzo in free form. It begins with the entrance of the singer supported by the orchestra, unfortunately we don't know what text she is singing. A series of motives and contrasting elements are introduced, some melodic and others rhythmic but all with a certain oriental air. The music gradually grows more energetic and lively, as the mezzo-soprano continues singing, but doesn't achieve a climax. The movement ends suddenly without a coda.

The fourth movement also features the chorus, also being free in form. It opens with a rhythmic, dance-like main theme. The chorus joins in vocalizing in a cheerful and vivacious manner. The music slowly builds up, culminating in a radiant passage. A lyrical violin solo takes place after a prolonged diminuendo, the chorus joining with a text we don't know. A slow climax is reached, followed by a meditative passage dominated by the chorus, which leads us to a gentle and peaceful coda.

Picture: "The Betrothal of the Children" (1877) by the Greek painter Nikolaos Gyzis.

Musical analysis written by myself. Sources: https://rb.gy/metkj and https://rb.gy/2avz0

Unfortunately, the score is not available.