This 15-minute symphonic poem dates from 1908, the year in which Glière began to appear as a conductor in Russia after completing his studies in Germany. The piece is a tone poem evoking the mermaids whose song attracted seamen to their doom. It is probably the most impressionistic piece that Glière ever wrote. For most of the duration of the piece, the skilful orchestral writing keeps the textures in a half-tone, creating a sound mist from which only the abundant harp interventions emerge. The thematic material is appropriately elusive. From a very quiet and foggy beginning, the music proceeds to slowly build up to a climax near the very end that perfectly accomplishes the portrayal of storm and shipwreck. This is followed by the tense calm conveyed by strings tremolos. The piece ends fading away.

© All Music Guide