Islamey (orch. Casella)

Mily Balakirev, founding figure of the Russian nationalist "Mighty Handful," created “Islamey” as an orchestral fantasy based on his celebrated piano piece of the same name from 1869. The orchestral version was completed in 1902 and reveals the composer at the height of his mastery of the orchestra. The work is deeply rooted in the Russian school of the nineteenth century, with its orientation toward folk melodies and orientalizing soundscapes — an aesthetic that Balakirev himself did much to shape.

In terms of sound, “Islamey” unfolds a fiery, dance-like energy permeated by Eastern European and Caucasian folk melodies. The rich orchestration — featuring an expanded wind section, two harps, and abundant percussion — allows for a broad spectrum of colors and textures, ranging from blazing brilliance to delicate exoticism. The harmonic language moves within that characteristic tension between Western European Romanticism and modally inflected, "oriental" turns of phrase.

The work stands as a prime example of Balakirev's ambition to enrich Russian identity by assimilating elements of foreign cultures. It is considered one of the most virtuosic and colorful pieces to emerge from the circle of the Mighty Handful, and continues to captivate audiences today with its rhythmic vitality and orchestral splendor.