TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Rimini
(1876)
Great SO of All-Union Radio
and Central TV rec 1949
KALINNIKOV Symphony No. 1 (1895)
USSR State Academic Bolshoi
Theatre Orchestra rec 1945 conducted by Nikolai Golovanov (1891-1953)
Historical Golovanov series
- mono recordings BOHEME Russian Classical Collection CDBMR GOLO2
[61.36]
This is a significant release for those intent on charting the recording
history of one of the USSR's most intriguing conductors. The disc is
distinguished by the first publication of the Kalinnikov symphony. While
not likely to be an obvious choice for the first time buyer in this repertoire,
the spirit of the music-making is worth the attention of Francesca
fanciers, Kalinnikov capos and Golovanov collectors.
The Francesca does not have the hothouse power of Stokowski (Everest
or Dell'Arte) or the impulsive rip and roar of Mravinsky (BMG-Melodiya) still
less the overpowering rush of Ahronovitch (LSO performance broadcast by the
BBC in 1980). This is a performance which joys in the broader and more succulent
moments and which enlivens these with an intensely adventurous and extreme
attitude to the accelerating and slowing of the music. Tenderness is certainly
in evidence as in the clarinet playing at 10.24 and the flute playing at
17.19. In truth, despite some nice cackling brashness from the horns, tempestuous
unanimity from the strings and coal-seam belligerence from the trombones,
this never quite coheres as a whole.
Both works are in historic mono. Boheme have cleaned up the sound as far
as they can but the 'core' sound has little inherent richness - unlike the
Golovanov Pathétique also on Boheme. You need to listen with
toleration and more forbearance is required in the case of the Kalinnikov
which rustles with background noise. This is a pity as Golovanov gives the
symphony pliancy and emphasis. The Kalinnikov is a work influenced by Borodin,
sunnily passionate in its long string themes with just a touch of Tchaikovskian
urgency. In the andante Golovanov pitches vulnerably close to inaudibility
in the affecting string landscape pepped up by oriental spices. The allegro
non troppo is a wheezy Russian Easter celebration. The finale echoes
with flaring foot-tapping fantasy.
This is a good symphony of the second rank. Hearing it in this sympathetic
performance I wondered again at the neglect of Kopylov's even stronger (but
quite unknown) symphony which is available on ASV.
The documentation for Boheme discs (except their musically strong Rachmaninov
complete songs) is amongst the best I have seen - a model to other swimmers
in these waters. I hope that Boheme will be able to secure a licence for
a reissue of Golovanov in Glazunov symphonies 5, 6 and 7. Now that would
be an event!
Reviewer
Rob Barnett
www.boheme.ru
boheme@iol.cz
bmr@boheme.ru
www.bohememusic.com
