Customer Reviews

Glazunov: Symphony No. 5; The Seasons

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It seems as though Glazunov is getting a good deal of attention as of late, with a multiple of new recordings of his music that were issued in the past year (believe me, the surge is most welcome, for like other reviewers of this disc, its neglect is baffling). Truth to tell, it has been quite a while since accounts of his works, particularly the Fifth Symphony, are given with such flair and freshness as they are here. Not that Serebrier's approach is entirely unadorned, but that's to its advantages. Take the climax (at 7'20") of the Symphony's first movement, how grand the approach is without being undercharged. Although Borodin's influence is noticeable throughout, Serebrier would have you think twice. This is pure Glazunov plain and simple under the great Maestro's hands. And how sweet the lyricism is particularly in the Scherzo. The andante is well played also, though not emotionally as heartwarming as in Svetlanov's and Fedoseyev's recordings (the brass interceptions are especially poignant and tragic in these fine vintage Melodiya albums). But Serebrier held his ground well, as in the case in the Finale, which is superbly done and very much reminds me of Jarvi and Svetlanov in their overall takes. Exemplary, particularly at the climaxes and the finising bars of the work (though I'm still finding myself thrilled of how emphatic Jarvi is in the six-note Tchaikovskian closing).

The same amount of praises are warranted in Serebrier's take of "Vremena Goda" ("The Seasons"). This is Glazunov at his best (and those who deem the score as an equal to "The Nutcracker" are not insane). It is, as typical with the composer's music, a very demanding work and treating it too straightforwardly would rob some of its delicate yet highly imaginative qualities. Most conductors, particularly Jarvi in Chandos, succeed in bringing out the intricate details of the piece to full effects. There are no exceptions of it here, where Serebrier allows the music to flow, very much like what Svetlanov did in his 1978 EMI recording. Jarvi's rendition have more excitability and brisk (the Bacchanal and the Scene III's coda leading up to it are the best on record). But there are plenty of virtures to be found here, as this recording may well set new standards. As in the Chandos disc, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra responds with plenty of warmth and exuberance for Serebrier. The recording sound is first class and the album is well indexed and presented. My only hope is for the same team to record Glazunov's other works like, say, his Sixth Symphony and perhaps even "Raymonda."

Obviously, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra has Russian music on their collective blood. They play Glazunov as if their lives depended on it. It makes you hand from every breath, like a novel you can't put away. Glazunov. in these superb performances comes out triumphant as a truly major Russian master, of the level of Tchaikowsky and Rachmaninoff. The music is well contructed and so rich in memorable melodies that one has to wonder why it has taken so long to make it into the mainstream. There are several versions coming all at once in the market from labels such as Chandos, BIS and Naxos. The
performances here by Jose Serebrier and the RSNO, on Warner Classics, is the only one to consider seriously. I know. I own them all, and this new version is on a class of its own. The
performances are passionate, powerful, full of intensity. And yet there is a calculated continuity at work. Congratulations to Warners and to the recording team for the beautiful, clar sound. A true demonstration recording!
Ralph Brown
England

I was never attracted to the music of this still rather neglected Russian master. The bits and pieces one hears
sounded like watered-down Tchaikovsky. I was not aware
of the great impact this music could make under the
right hands. What a wonderful surprise! The magnificent
performances that conductor Jose Serebrier emanates
from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are a
revelation. The music suddenly comes alive, from the
first note.

The 5th symphony by Glazunov, in this performance, is
revealed as a great neglected masterpice, which should
have its place among the concert favorites of works by
Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. This music has everything: drama,
beautiful melodies, originality.

The famous ballet music for The Seasons is a complete joy.
Jose Serebrier lets the music flow and breathe, and the
orchestra comes across as one of the very best European
ensembles. I have the previous version of this work,
recorded years ago by the same orchestra on Chandos, with
Neeme Jarvi, and it doesn't sound at all like the same
orchestra. The old recording is serviceable at best, and
uninspired. Serebrier's new version reveals the great
beauty of the music and it is also performed to perfection.
I highly recommend this recording.
R.A.

Glazunov, thinks to this new release on Warner Classics, is revealed as one of the great Rusian romantic composers. Hard to understand why his music is not played as often as Tchaikowvsky.
I can guess that it has to do with understanding of the music, and exciting, communicating performances. This new CD has everything: electricity, perfect sonics, and the most musical
interpretation by Jose Serebrier and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra of Glasgow. The music making is absolutely first class. It is indeed a class act in every sense. I am puzzled by the cover art, which does not seem to fit the contents of the CD, but the liner notes are extremely informative and easy to read. I hope that this is the first of a Glazunov series. It has fully converted me.
Andres
Tampa, Florida

Imagine being asked to write dance music for St. Petersburg's Imperial Ballet when all the previous guy had done was Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.
Yet in The Seasons, Alexander Glazunov doesn't simply play second fiddle to Tchaikovsky. The one-act ballet (1900) offers many highlights: the mischievous bassoons in the "Hail" section of "Winter"; the exuberant waltz of "Spring"; the la-dee-dah-dah flutes and swirling violins of the famous "Dance of the Cornflowers and Poppies" in "Summer." And while the stately "Bacchanale" theme memorably dominates "Autumn," what lingers after repeated listenings is the responsiveness of the Scots' strings during the lush lullaby melodies of the "Petit Adagio."
In the Adagio of the Fifth Symphony (1895), after foreboding horns interrupt the rich orchestration of the theme that enters midway through, Glazunov unites the brass and string sections to achieve a moving resolution. The final movement is a rondo that starts out energetically and then, with the propulsion of the trumpets, accelerates even more.
By resurrecting a symphony other than the Fourth, Jose Serebrier demonstrates that Glazunov is more than just a lesser Tchaikovsky.

I hope this release is the first of a Glazunov series, because I can't wait for my favorite 4th symphony. This recording of
the 5th is so admirable in every sense, that it will surely
help to put this neglected composer on the map, or at least in the concert circuit. The Seasons ballet music never sound more vibrant and exciting. A fantastic recording all around.
June Spencer
London, UK

Each part of the CD is enjoyable. Listen to track 17 and you may discover the original source of one of the Star Wars fight themes. It's very similar indeed. I don't agree with the review that says that this composer was somehow something less than a more educated writer. This music is well scored and the music itself is full of variety in orchestration as well as tone color. A CD worth listening to many times.

This has been a real revelation for me since its first listening. Having
great competitors such as Otaka's BIS, Jarvi`s Orfeo or Rozhdestvensky`s
Chandos recordings of Glazunov's Fifth Symphony, this new version by José
Serebrier hits the market with a vibrant and vital rendition that lifts
Glazunov out of an unfair second-rate status and remarks this symphony to
be one of the best from 19th century russian repertoire. Serebrier's vibrant
and animated tempi lend the first movement a joyful language that regards to Schumann's Rhenish Symphony. After a delicious Scherzo and a moving Andante,
in the Finale Serebrier's swift pace highlights the music's celebratory air
that remarks special distinction over competitors. Conductor's special judge
on phrasing and tempi are matter of admiration and the Royal Scottish National Symphony Orchestra sounds brilliant and glorious, as usual. Can't have enough
words to recommend it so highly.

Alexander Glazunov's Fifth Symphony was first performed in 1895, following closely upon his Fourth. The music begins with a slow, grave introduction before bursting forth with an exuberant melody that is lovingly developed. The Scherzo that follows is like a jewel box with a sparkling melody for flute with the triangle adding the sparkle; the music is like an excerpt from a ballet. The slow movement is dream-like with a soaring melody played by the strings, interrupted occasionally by dark chords from the brass. The Finale is a marvelous Rondo that never lets up the energy and forward rough-and-tumble movement of the music.

Jose Serebrier does a good job conducting the symphony but I think the Finale is taken a bit too fast, particularly at its conclusion. Neeme Jarvi and Mravinsky slow the tempo down, allowing the music to breathe a bit, and give us a change to savor the grand conclusion of this remarkable symphony.

Glazunov wrote several ballets in the tradition of Tchaikovsky. The Seasons was composed in 1900 and differs from his first three act ballet Raymonda in its compact structure. The ballet scenario follows the season beginning with Winter and ending with Autumn in a glorious shower of leaves. The ballet has more to do with weather and mythology that with human characters. The music is descriptively melodious containing a great deal of charm as the bucolic scenes are danced. Spring and Summer contain some of Glazunov's most lilting melodies and Autumn is an exuberant Bacchanale complete with an appearance of Bacchus himself.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra play the Fifth Symphony beautifully but I find that The Seasons sounds a bit plodding. This disc would not be a first choice for either The Seasons or the Fifth. I would recommend Neeme Jarvi for the Fifth and Evgeni Mravinsky for The Seasons for their complete understanding of the score and the enthusiasm of the musicians.

This orchestra has the best recording of Glazanov's 4 Seasons. Autumn is a very delightful harp selection of excellent beauty.