Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony No.2 in C minor Little Russian [36:11]
Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881)
Night on the Bare Mountain (original version) [13:18]
Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel) [32:26]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Kiril Karabits
rec. The Lighthouse, Poole, 12-14 July 2011. Stereo. DDD
ONYX 4074 [81:55]
It takes a bit of thinking to work out the connection between the works on
this disc. But the answer is: the Ukraine. Onyx don't give artist bios in
their liner-notes, so it helps if you already know that Karabits is Ukrainian.
The Little Russia of Tchaikovsky's symphony is the Ukraine. The
Bare Mountain on which Mussorgsky spends a night is, it turns out, a real
place in the Ukraine. And Pictures at an Exhibition – well, its the
finale obviously.
Another startling connection between Tchaikovsky 2 and Pictures is
the opening of their respective finales, which for about eight bars sound
almost identical. That comes as quite a surprise when you think about how
different Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky were as artists, and the ground between
them certainly opens up as the two movements progress. Even so, they were
written within just a few years of each other, so some kind of cross-influence
can at least be suggested.
Even though the Second is among the least recorded of Tchaikovsky's symphonies,
there is still stiff competition from a wide variety of contenders. Coincidentally
(I think), one of the most impressive recordings on the market is the Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra's previous recording, under Andrew Litton from the early
1990s. Then, as now, the piece really worked to the orchestra's strengths.
They have had a succession of Russian or Russia-obsessed conductors over the
years who have nurtured a real sense of Slavic spirit, especially in their
readings of Tchaikovsky’s more folksy works.
Karabits takes a slightly more laid-back approach than Litton, going more
for atmosphere than drive. This works very well in the first two movements,
although the Scherzo is a bit flaccid. Tempos in this third movement are on
the slow side, and there is little in the way of drive from the accents or
dynamics. Otherwise this is a fine reading. There are one or two problems
of tuning and ensemble here and there, but the soloists redeem all, especially
the lead horn and bassoon in the first movement.
The original version of A Night on Bare Mountain has only recently
come to wide attention. The idea of finding it on a populist programme like
this even ten years ago would have been unthinkable. One reason for that is
that it is quite difficult to pull off. It is more congested than Rimsky's
revision, with lots of overlaps between the sections. But Karabits is able
to make it work. The orchestra is on excellent form here, and all those vital
details come through. Able to rely on his forces, he takes the piece at a
driving pace, exaggerates contrasts, and generally just gives it everything.
The three works on the disc are all played well, but this is the standout
performance. It is one of the few recordings of the original version that
don't make you wish you were hearing the revision.
Pictures at an Exhibition gets a similarly dramatic reading. Again,
Karabits really stresses the contrasts of dynamics. His tempos are moderate,
but never dull. There is a lot of very legato playing, which sometimes threatens
the momentum. In the opening Promenade for example, the trumpet solo
really leans on the slurs, and when the full string section enters, it is
like a wall of sound, with little apparent articulation or phrasing. Again,
the orchestra's fine soloists - none of them named, sadly - elevate a worthy
performance into a satisfying and worthwhile one.
All round this is an enjoyable recording, with some fine playing and interesting
interpretive ideas. Whatever the Ukrainian links, the coupling still feels
random though. Much as I love both Mussorgsky works, I'd far rather have heard
Karabits' take on Tchaikovsky's First Symphony. It is to be hoped that they're
saving that one for next time.
Gavin Dixon
Masterwork Index: Pictures
at an Exhibition
All round an enjoyable recording, with fine playing and interesting interpretive
ideas.