Janis Ivanovs: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3

Ivanov's 4th Symphony "Atlantis" was written in 1939 and as the helpful liner notes indicate, was intended as a prophecy of how Europe was sinking into war. The programmatic nature of the symphony is never too strident to overshadow the pure musicality of each movement. The first movement has a solidly massed quality to it-- not too tuneful or transparent. By the conclusion of the symphony however the opaque, tough sound to this composition wins one over and the overall effect of tragedy and foreboding hits home. I recommend this synphony if you enjoy early 20th c. composers like Martinu, Eduard Tubin (think of his 3rd, 6th or 8th symphonies), or Shostakovich's 7th or 8th.