Customer Reviews

Alexander Borodin: Symphony No. 2; Petite Suite; Polovtsian Dances

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Over the past year, Gennady Rozhdestvensky's interpretation of Borodin's 2nd Symphony, recorded here, has become my favorite. The conductor has chosen slightly slower tempi than what has traditionally been used by other interpreters. The slower pace makes the syncopated phrases stand out more which is quite pleasing to the ear. This is especially true in the scherzo (2nd movement) where the Prestissimo tempo indication and 1/1 time signature instructs the musicians to play as fast as possible. Rozhdestvensky seems to have found a sweet spot at just a notch slower than as fast as possible. Anyway, this CD has been a welcome addition to my collection.

For those who love KISMET, this CD oontains the source themes for:

"Fate" (first movement Symphony #2)
"Night of My Nights" (Serenade Petite suit orch. Glazunov)
"Stranger in Paradise" (2nd Polivtsian Dance)

KISMET was a great hit which premiered in 1953 in large part due to the Wright and Forrest's use of music by Borodin who died in 1887. Borodin was a Russian chemistry professor and an early champion for women working in science but his spare time 'hobby' produced immortally beautiful music.