Alexander Glazunov Chant du ménestrel // Principal Cello David Cohen

Programme note For a short period after Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s death and before the rise of Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev, Alexander Glazunov was the ‘best composer in Russia’. Sadly, by sticking to an overly Romantic sound he was soon after thought of as very old-fashioned, and when he died aged 70 critics joked that they thought he had died years before. To modern ears, his music is no longer old-fashioned: it is luscious and romantic. Chant du ménestrel was written in 1900 for the solo cellist of the Tsar. A ménestrel is similar to a French troubadour. They were poet-musicians who travelled the countryside singing of courtly love. Note by Rachel Leach David Cohen cello Alina Pritulenko piano Recorded at LSO St Luke’s 29 September 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subscribe to the LSO’s channel: Subscribe to LSO newsletter: Follow the LSO on: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok: @londonsymphonyorchestra Twitter: Website: Apple Music: Spotify: LSO Live: