The Blockade of Brest – Belagerung von Brest (Taras Bulba)

The Blockade of Brest – from Marc Lavry’s opus book

Recording: Not yet available

Manuscripts: Located at the National Library of Israel Music Department, the Marc Lavry Archive, System Number(s) 990038278260205171, 990038278280205171

Synopsis:
Marc Lavry composed several compositions for the Laban dance troupe, including “The Siege of Brest” (after Mikhail Gogol’s famous short story “Taras Bul’ba”) which is a full-length ballet (entire evening). The subject is based on historical events of the 17th Century: the Ukrainian Cossack uprising against Polish rule.

Anecdote: In his autobiography from 1946 Lavry wrote: “I wrote quite a few ballets, large and small, one of which, The Blockade of Brest, based on Gogol’s novel Taras Bulba, was performed in Berlin as a full evening event”.

Information from the composer’s opus book:
Performances:

• The State Opera, Berlin  – 1932