Merritts Hill Music

Лядов для духового оркестра

(Lyadov is also spelled Liadov or Liadow - no confusion in Russian: Лядов)

Baba-Yaga - Баба-Яга

Russia's favourite witch promotes the chemical aspect of her craft by flying around not on a broomstick but in a mortar. Lyadov's depiction of her owes more to Dukas than to Mussorgsky; however, his orchestral effects make only modest demands on the performers, which is why his works are so accessible to amateur and young players. He lacked the ambition to become a great composer, but the flurry of symphonic poems he wrote in his final years are all extremely well crafted and this one makes a superb band item.