Polovtsian Dances - Alexander Borodin

The ‘Polovtsian Dances’ form an exotic scene at the end of second act of Alexander Borodin's opera ‘Prince Igor’. The work remained unfinished when the composer died in 1887, although he had worked on it for more than a decade. A performing version was prepared by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov, appearing in 1890.

Several other versions, or 'completions', of the opera have been made. In the end, the ‘Polovtsian Dances’ has become Borodin’s most well know work and a true orchestral show piece as well. Argentinean arranger Miguel Etchegoncelay transcribed the complete ‘Polovtsian Dances’ for a Brass Ensemble.