[Authentic 19th-century Russian symphonic poem. Historical Romantic orchestral writing in the tradition of Modest Mussorgsky, Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Full acoustic orchestra only. Narrative sequence of contrasting musical tableaux linked by a recurring promenade theme. Folk-inspired melodies, modal colors, expressive counterpoint, noble brass writing, lyrical woodwinds, dark low strings, dramatic dynamic contrasts] [Only traditional orchestral instruments available before 1890. Timpani as the only percussion except occasional suspended cymbal and triangle used sparingly in historical Romantic practice] [Long-form symphonic development, concert-hall acoustics, natural orchestral balance, historically informed Romantic performance] [Suite: Promenade; Il Vecchio Castello; Le Catacombe; Mercato Russo; Capanna della Strega; Grande Porta Cerimoniale]
