The Gadfly Suite
The Gadfly Suite, Op. 97a, is a suite for orchestra arranged from the composition by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) for the 1955 Soviet film The Gadfly, based on the novel of the same name by Ethel Lilian Voynich (1864–1960).
This Suite, known as Op. 97a, is a selection of music derived from the film arranged by Soviet composer Levon Atovmian and has been recorded by several orchestras. As of the end of the twentieth century the complete score of the film had still not been recorded in its entirety.[1]
Movements
The following are the movements of the Suite Op. 97a as arranged by Atovmian.
- Overture 03:05
- Contredanse 02:37
- Folk Feast (National Holiday) 02:44
- Interlude 02:38
- Barrel Organ Waltz 02:01
- Galop 02:03
- Introduction (Prelude) 06:18
- Romance 05:54
- Intermezzo 05:49
- Nocturne 04:13
- Scene 03:18
- Finale 03:13
Inspired by Massenet's "Méditation" from Thais, the "Romance" section from the suite, with its beautiful solo violin melody, is known to Western TV audiences as the theme music for the BBC/PBS mini-series Reilly, Ace of Spies, about Russian adventurer Sidney Reilly.
The finale part of the Suite can be heard on the classic music radio of the 2012 video game Sleeping Dogs. It can also be heard in the 2011 video game LittleBigPlanet 2 during the final battle.
References
- ↑ CD Sleeve notes, The Gadfly Suite. Naxos
