The Steppe
Symphonic Poem Op. 66
The symphonic poem The Steppe was composed in 1896, and numbers among the most distinguished and well-known of Zygmunt Noskowskis works. The piece is in a sonata allegro form with contrasting themes characterizing the sides of the Polish-Cossack conflict, and with a battle scene in the development. The main value of this composition is a melodic language of great breath, utilizing elements of Polish and Ukrainian folklore. Uncommonly often, relationships between The Steppe and Henryk Sienkiewiczs Trilogy are emphasized, especially with the novel With Fire and Sword. This work, like the Trilogy, was written for the comforting of hearts during the Partition period in Polish history.
Zygmunt Noskowski preceded the score with the following invocation:
O marvelous steppe, I greet you with
song. Among your measureless spaces
were heard both the rush of wings and
the sound of cavalry hooves, the resonance
of the shepherds pipe and the nostalgic
Cossack song, accompanied by theorbos
and drums, the outbreak of war cries and
the clash of sabers. The enormous battles
and wrestlings are over, warriors have been
lain in their graves. You alone, o great
steppe, have remained eternally beautiful
and peaceful!
- Series: Musica Viva
- Number of pages: 92
- Cover: softcover
- Type: score
- Size: A4 vertical (210x297 mm)
Other titles in the series
Edvard Grieg
Lyriske Stykker
Out of Print