Symfonie Nr 1; De Sirenen (1995)

"The first symphony is a charming work of unmistakably Russian origin. Although it does not show the eastern exoticism that characterizes the works of the Mighty Five, it is closer to Borodin than to Tchaikovsky. The style has an uncanny resemblance to that of Kalinnikov, whose Symphony No. 2 was written in the same year. Th 15-minute symphonic poem "The Sirens" dates from 1908, the year in which Glière began to appear as a conductor in Russia after completing his studies in Germany. The piece is a tone poem evoking the mermaids whose song attracted seamen to their doom. It is probably the most impressionistic piece that Glière ever wrote. For most of the duration of the piece, the skilful orchestral writing keeps the textures in a half-tone, creating a sound mist from which only the abundant harp interventions emerge. The thematic material is appropriately elusive." (Hector Bellman, Allmusic)