Symphony No. 3 in B minor, Op. 42, "Ilya Muromets"
Reinhold Gliere
Work background
Researched classical background
Gliere's Third Symphony turns the legend of Ilya Muromets into four large orchestral tableaux. The hero's emergence, an encounter with a formidable adversary, a princely celebration, and a final catastrophic scene supply the narrative course. The score belongs to late Romantic program music and uses a very large orchestra for sustained storytelling. Cuts can substantially change the proportions of recorded performances.
Inspiration and creative background
The Old Russian heroic legends of Ilya Muromets provide the explicit four-part program.
Symphony No. 3, "Ilya Muramets," Op. 42 (1911) - American Symphony Orchestra
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Follow the movement descriptions and compare music associated with heroic action with the score's more mysterious sustained textures.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Large orchestra
Composition: 1909-1911
The premiere followed in Moscow in 1912; abbreviated performances are separate editorial choices.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Ilya Muramets
Date, title and version notes
Some performances use extensive cuts.
Symphony No. 3, "Ilya Muramets," Op. 42 (1911) - American Symphony Orchestra
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Symphony No. 3, "Ilya Muramets," Op. 42 (1911) - American Symphony Orchestra
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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