The enigmatic Kikimora: A journey into the world of Slavic folklore

The Kikimora is a mysterious and fascinating figure in Slavic folklore that has captured people’s imagination for centuries. This mysterious figure is deeply rooted in Slavic culture and has found its place in stories, legends and lore. In this report, we will take a closer look at the Kikimora and explore its role in wind music.

Kikimora is a female mythological figure known in Slavic countries, especially in Russia, Ukraine and Poland. Their appearance varies depending on the region and lore, but some common features always appear. The Kikimora is often portrayed as a small, ugly, aging woman. She has long, tangled hair that reaches the ground, and her skin has a greenish complexion. Their eyes are glowing and shine in the darkness. Kikimoras are often nocturnal creatures that prefer to operate in the dark. They are known to get into mischief and mess up the house or yard. In some stories, she is depicted as a water spirit who lives in ponds or rivers.

This fascinating figure plays a significant role not only in Slavic folklore, but also in the world of music. Anatole Liadow’s composition “Kikimora” op. 63 is a remarkable work depicting the mythological figure in musical form. Two arrangements for symphonic wind orchestra particularly caught our attention, those by Sergey Tikhomirov and by Douglas McLain.

Anatole Liadov was a Russian composer of the late 19. and early 20th century, known for his use of Slavic folklore in his music. “Kikimora” Op. 63 is a symphonic poem composed in 1909 that offers a vivid musical portrayal of the Kikimora.

Sergey Tikhomirov’s editing:

Sergey Tikhomirov, a well-known conductor and arranger, has arranged Liadow’s“Kikimora” op. 63 for symphonic wind orchestra. Tikhomirov has skillfully transferred the original orchestration of “Kikimora” into the sound world of a wind orchestra. Here, woodwind and brass instruments and percussion in particular were used effectively to capture the atmosphere of the composition. Tikhomirov takes care to maintain the mysterious and mystical atmosphere of Liadow’s original composition. The musical interpretation allows the audience to immerse themselves in the mysterious world of the Kikimora.

Douglas McLain’s edit:

Douglas McLain is a renowned arranger and conductor who has also arranged Liadow’s “Kikimora,” Op. 63 for symphonic wind orchestra. His version conveys his own artistic interpretation of the music. McLain skillfully uses instruments to bring out the subtle nuances of Liadow’s music. This creates a unique interpretation of the Kikimora.

The arrangements for symphonic wind orchestra by Sergey Tikhomirov and Douglas McLain broaden access to this musical masterpiece and allow wind ensembles to explore the mysterious world of Kikimora. These arrangements help to keep alive the cultural significance of the Kikimora in music and show how diverse the interpretations of a mythological theme in art can be. Other works for wind orchestra by Anatole Liadow.

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