Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Isle of the Dead, Op.
29 [25:00]
Sergei RACHMANINOV orch. RESPIGHI Two Études-Tableaux:
La Mer et les mouettes, Op. 39 No 2 [9:06]
La Foire Op. 33 No 4 [2:18]
Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) orch. RAVEL Pictures
at an Exhibition [34:13]
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov
rec. 28 October 1999, Royal Festival Hall, London. DDD
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4259-2 [70:56]
On this disc we have the bulk of a concert given by Svetlanov during a rare
appearance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra - the item that’s omitted
was a Prokofiev piano concerto. Svetlanov was particularly good in music from
his native Russia and the music included here plays to his strengths.
The colourful nature of Ravel’s celebrated orchestration of Mussorgsky’s
piano work is brought out very well. Some may find the opening ‘Promenade’ a
touch brisk - here it seems like a purposeful walk up to the front door of
the gallery - but some of the characterisations that follow are very sharply
edged, not least a sinister, grotesque ‘Gnomus’. ‘Bydlo’ plods
lugubriously across the Steppes, rising to a potent climax and the portrait
of ‘Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle’ is painted with a broad but
effective brush, though the muted trumpet solo doesn’t sound to be perfectly
tuned. Perhaps not surprisingly Svetlanov builds ‘The Great Gate of Kiev’ to
an imposing climax with a large church bell clanging most effectively. The
very final chord, suitably gong-drenched, is unusually sustained; we’re
definitely in the world of Boris Godunov here.
Not all is power and grandeur, however. Svetlanov leads a nicely turned account
of ‘Tuileries’ while both ‘The Market at Limoges’ and ‘The
Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks’ are lively. I’ve heard more subtle
accounts of Pictures but I’ve also heard many that are nowhere
near as involving. This is a successful and enjoyable reading of the work.
It’s good to hear Respighi’s inventive and sympathetic orchestrations
of two of Rachmaninov’s piano Études-Tableaux - he orchestrated
five of these pieces in all - and Svetlanov does them with affection and no
little feeling.
But though Pictures at an Exhibition was positioned, presumably, as
the climax to the concert I rather feel that the best comes first. I can’t
recall hearing a better account than this present one of Rachmaninov’s
brooding, intense tone poem, The Isle of the Dead. It’s
an expansive reading but Svetlanov controls the performance masterfully and
fully justifies his broad conception. In his booklet note Colin Anderson, who
was present at the concert in question, refers to the performance as “daringly
epic” and adds this: “This gripping London version - of implacable
tread, lugubrious expression and darkness of tone - is unflinching in its emotionalism
and dramatic sureness.” That says it all, really. I’d add only
that the extended, impassioned climax is beautifully prepared and, when it
arrives, is impressively sustained. For me this great performance, which possibly
could not have been emulated under studio conditions, is worth the price of
the disc.
Throughout the programme the BBC Symphony Orchestra responds to Svetlanov’s
direction with commitment and intensity. The playing isn’t flawless -
there are a few ragged edges caused, no doubt, by unfamiliarity with Svetlanov’s
technique - but these small blemishes are scarcely noticeable when set against
the sweep and the often-thrilling nature of the music making.
I hope that BBC Legends may now be able to negotiate the rights to issue, as
a follow-up to this fine release, the performance that Svetlanov gave with
the BBC Symphony of Rachmaninov’s The Bells in April 2002. That
was his very last concert and by all accounts it was a very special performance.
But, then, this present reading of The Isle of the Dead falls
into the same category.
John Quinn