This is the companion
to the 1966 and 1983 recordings of the
First and Second Symphonies, also recently
restored by Melodiya MEL CD 10 00154
[review].
The dates in the case of this release
however are even more various, starting
with the 1963 Prince Igor Overture and
ending with the 1985 recording of the
Petite Suite. An identical compilation
was put out by Melodiya, circa 1992-93,
on SUCD 10 00155.
Attention will naturally
fall on the unfinished Third Symphony
of which two movements exist. With his
sense of dynamism, colour and a fairly
elastic control of tempi Svetlanov proves
a memorable exponent of the symphonic
torso. The winds are especially beguiling
in their plangency and feeling in the
opening movement. The second is dynamic,
rhythmically virile. The brass, without
becoming coarse or blatant, lend their
masculine surety to the proceedings,
but there’s real affection in the phrasing
of the strings. There are no half measures
in this kind of playing; it’s bold,
powerful, full of feeling and more often
than not hard to resist.
The Petite Suite was
originally written for piano in 1885
and was orchestrated by Glazunov four
years later. There are seven movements.
In A Monastery builds inexorably
to a powerful climax half way through
then dissolves into powerful Bachian
organ cadences. There’s a big-boned
and cavorting Mazurka, which
contrasts aptly with the succeeding
one – an altogether lighter and more
diaphanous affair. Dreams is
romantic, full of warm lyricism and
especially nocturnal winds. And the
Finale is a bustly tripartite
affair - there’s a brisk and a horn
and cello flecked Nocturne, full of
rich cantilena . Then we have the two
best-known works in expert, malleable
and dynamic performances. In the
Steppes of Central Asia is particularly
fine – the winds play with superb eloquence
There are plenty of
alternatives of course. Of some of the
best, the National Philharmonic and
Loris Tjeknavorian [BMG-Sony] are recommendable
in the Third Symphony; Järvi and
the Gothenburg [DG] have a Svetlanov-duplicating
programme well worth seeking out.
Jonathan Woolf
for details
USSR Symphony Orchestra/Evgeni Svetlanov
