A slight liberty with ‘on this day’…but a chance to bring one of Russia’s lesser lights to the fore. Vassily Kalinnikov was born on 13 January 1866, and died on 11 January 1901 – a tragically early passing, thought to have been from tuberculosis.

In that short period of time he did however write a number of attractive orchestral pieces, headed by the Symphony no.1 in G minor, completed in 1895. You can listen below, a chance to admire Kalinnikov’s craft as a melodist and orchestrator – qualities his contemporary Tchaikovsky appears to have appreciated:

Published post no.2,409 – Sunday 12 January 2025