RUSSIAN MUSIC
Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881)
Pictures at an exhibition (orch. Ravel) 32.02
A Night on the Bare Mountain (orch. Rimsky- Korsakov)
11.00
Alexander BORODIN (1833 - 1887)
Overture from Prince Igor (orch. Glazunov) 10.43
Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor 13.35
Royal Liverpool Choir &
Orchestra Sir Charles Mackerras
Recorded Liverpool January
1990.
Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844 - 1908)
Scheherazade. Symphonic Suite. Op. 35*
45.59
Piotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY ( 1840 - 1893)
The Tempest. Symphonic Fantasy. Op. 18 23.48
David Nolan (violin)* The
London Philharmonic Orchestra* Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Andrew Litton
Recorded St Augustine's, Kilburn,
London April 1988* Poole, Dorset. October 1989 (Tempest) Virgin Classics
7243 5 61751 2 9 CD1 67.44 CD2 70.05
In releasing this double CdDof colourful Russian orchestral music Virgin
enters a crowded field. Two generously filled discs, good orchestras, modern
recordings, conductors with familiar names - all the ingredients are there
for success - but is it enough these days? What is the magic something that
prompts your average browser to buy this disc rather than brand X? If I knew
the answer I'd be a rich man. Certainly if I, as a casual buyer, had selected
this double offering (at medium price) I would be happy enough. O.K. So it
isn't Beecham's Scheherazade but that is exceptional, and anyway what
discs do really offer the best recordings available of all the works on them
- despite whatever the marketing people claim?
The repertoire is generally familiar. The first CD gives us Mackerras with
the R.L.P.O. in a full-blooded recording. Pictures in the well-known
Ravel orchestration is a safe, rather then involving performance. There are
lots of good points that the recording clarity helps to bring out. Notable
are the cohesion of the brass choir in Catacombs, nicely pointed work
in Tuileries by the woodwind and strings, the controlled climax in
Bydlo, the attack shown in The Hut on Hen's Legs, the wit in
Unhatched Chickens (very lifelike), and an impressive Great Gate
at Kiev. There is lots of good work by individuals throughout and
refreshingly they are credited in the notes.
A Night on the Bare Mountain as completed, and modified, by
Rimsky-Korsakov after Mussorgsky's death follows. Given a lively, vivid
performance helped by an excellent recording the orchestra shines in this
showpiece.
The Overture from Prince Igor is splendidly played. The orchestra
is responsive and alert. Thrusting rhythms leading into the second theme
(featuring some lovely horn playing), with some excellent responsive shading
from the strings and fine wind section contributions. Excellent.
The five short sections which make up the Polovtsian Dances are a
treat. The RLPO Chorus makes a telling contribution in No2 (the ladies of
the Choir and the Strangers in Paradise theme) and later in the frenetic
finale. An exhilarating performance with all involved on top form.
On Disc No 2 Litton and the LPO give a performance of Scheherazade to
sit back and enjoy - though with reservations. In this rich score, recorded
in opulent sound, the pacing is marginally on the languorous side, especially
in the opening section, at times almost too lingering. With a free rubato
though, the tempo does allow so much to be heard and relished. In the four
episodes making up the Suite the section principals have their chances to
shine and do so splendidly. The strings produce a full-bodied sound work
and the excellent brass and wind sections contribute tellingly. David Nolan
is a most persuasive soloist.
Tchaikovsky's Tempest, an eight section single movement Symphonic
Fantasy has enough of his fingermarks to have been written by no-one else.
As programme music it depicts the sea in many moods, and incorporates a tender
love theme. Overall the effect is of a sad, introspective piece, beautifully
played.
An aside. Does anyone else have the same problems with today's Cd's? I find
that with recordings of 'big' orchestral works the finger is almost always
hovering near the volume switch or remote control. The normal domestic setting
simply isn't made to have a full orchestra belting out a lot of decibels
in one's living room. Set the level right for one quieter passage and inevitably
it will be wrong when the next louder section comes along. It doesn't help
to have ageing ears either.
So, two attractive discs, giving value for money and with any reservations
comfortably outweighed by the good things on offer.
Reviewer
Harry Downey
CD 1. 
CD 2. 
