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.