Symphony No. 1

Alexander Glazunov completed his First Symphony in E major at the age of just sixteen — a remarkable testament to early compositional maturity. The work was written in 1881 within the sphere of the Russian national school and clearly bears the influence of Mily Balakirev, who mentored the young Glazunov and whose circle, the "Mighty Handful", he moved close to.

The musical language of the "Slavonic Symphony" combines Western European formal principles — those of German Romanticism in particular — with a pronounced Slavic character. Folk-inspired melodic writing, distinctive rhythmic patterns, and a rich, colourful orchestration define the work's personality. Here Glazunov finds his own voice between national roots and academic craftsmanship, setting him apart from his contemporaries in the Handful.

The scoring — double woodwind, four horns, and a full string complement — corresponds to the orchestral standard of the late Romantic period. The symphony is considered remarkably coherent and mature for a debut work and is said to have caused a sensation at its première, not least because of its composer's youth. It marks the beginning of a distinguished symphonic career that would ultimately lead Glazunov to eight further symphonies.