The Lighter Classics in Music by David Ewen
1612. During the struggle between Russia and Poland, Romanov becomes the
152 words | Chapter 20
new Czar of Russia, and Ivan Susanin, a peasant, is the hero who saves
Russia and the Czar. The love interest involves Ivan’s daughter,
Antonida, and Bogdan Sabinin.
The overture opens with a stately introduction dominated by a melody for
the oboe. A spirited melody brings on the main section. After this
melody is developed, a second theme is offered by the clarinets. Both
ideas are discoursed upon briefly, and they are given further
amplification in the coda.
The Mazurka and Waltz appear at the close of the second act, climaxing a
festive celebration held in the throne room of Sigismund III of Poland
in his ancient castle. The Waltz comes first. Two principal waltz
melodies are given by the woodwind and repeated by strings; a third
waltz tune is then heard in brass, and soon taken over by the strings.
The Waltz is immediately followed by the Mazurka. After a dignified
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