Customer Reviews

Kalinnikov: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kalinnikov is a novelty to me, a pleasant surprise. His music sounds very much of the late 19th-century Russian Nationalists: folk-like melodies, rich harmonic treatment, brilliant orchestrations, but perhaps with more counterpoint used to develop his thematic material than is typical of his compatriots. There is a lot of the ballet here. None of the brooding introspection and melancholy, though--surprising, especially since the impoverished composer was dying of tuberculosis when both symphonies were composed.

The orchestral playing is polished and brilliant, just as is the recording. (I haven't heard the Jarvi recording, but it's hard to imagine that it could be much better, or that his performance could be more idiomatic. Considering that the Jarvi costs nearly 3 times as much, this one's a real bargain!)

It's too bad there is such a thing as the "standard repertoire," since many splendid works never seem to make it and fall into unjust neglect. Such is the case with the two marvelous symphonies of Kalinnikov, which are rarely heard in the concert hall. They are similar in style to Tchaikovsky with repetitive themes, rich string scoring, and beautiful melodies, but they have a lyrical sweetness and life-affirming vitality of their own that are remarkable considering the chronic illness and short, tragic life of the composeer.
Kuchar's performances are a little rough-edged and the sound is a little diffuse in the climaxes, but the spirit and style come through and at the Naxos price, this CD is a wonderful bargain. For anyone who has suffered through chronic pain, illness, or tragedy, Kalinnikov's music is a wonderful reminder that joy and beauty can still be found in the valley of the shadow of death.

It's entirely possible that the Jarvi performance is better, but for the money, you can't get much better than this. The sound quality is fairly good-- perhaps what you might get if you transferred a high-quality recording onto CD. The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine certainly played well, and was probably the best choice for Kalinnikov's symphonies.
Kalinnikov's symphonies are full of Russian sounds, as much as those of any Russian composer I can think of. The scherzo in the first symphony in particular is reminiscent of a Russian peasant dance. Kalinnikov may not be the best Russian composer, but this is still a darn good CD.

Here is everything you need to know about the two symphonies of the short-lived (1866-1901) Vasily Kalinnikov. The first was written in 1894-95 and is by far the more popular of the two, figuring heavily in the 1940s Russian music revival. It briefly entered the major symphonic orchestral repertoire and even appeared with musical examples in Charles O'Connell's The Victor Book of Symphonies (Simon & Schuster, 1948). The second is the longer of the two (39:32 vs. 38:36) and was written in 1895-97. Filled to the brim with just as many memorable melodies as the first, it has never been performed or programmed as often. Both are light and airy, with just enough grandeur, lyricism, and austere brass passages for a perfect balance. One is continuously reminded of the Russian ballet while listening to them, and the long-lined tunes make Tchaikovsky sound like a 12-tone seriallist in comparison.

In spite of what you may read in the otherwise-reliable Penguin Guide, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this wonderful Naxos CD. Okay, maybe the sound could be a tad more brilliant, but this is no excuse for condemning with faint praise. More than merely "agreeable" and "acceptable", this disc is an impeccable introduction to this highly-underrated music. While probably no one would list Theodore Kuchar and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine as being amongst the world's greatest, everything comes across clearly, lucidly, and devoid of any eccentricities. Thanks to Naxos, these symphonies can be enjoyed again and again at a bargain price.

Listen to the serene second movement of the first symphony, and you will be transported into another world: suddenly we're hearing an ethereal harp concerto with solo oboe. Yet once again we are reminded how much great music waiting to be loved and embraced remains just below the popular radar. This disc might not start a revival all by itself, but it's a great first step. If you've come this far to investigate Kalinnikov, you will enjoy this disc. Four and three-quarters stars!

Of Vassily Kalinnikov's two symphonies, the first is the most often played. It is easy to see why: it has the sort of folksy accessibility that pot-boilers are made of, and it skids merrily from one tutti to the next. The second, much like Elgar's, is a more inward-looking affair (although much less than Elgar's) - still the same catchy rhythms but without the First Symphony's explosiveness. While Kuchar and his Ukranians attack the First head-on, they do appear to be less at home in its successor, where Järvi's Chandos recording still sets the standard. The First Symphony, however, is played excellently, and this is probably the most energetic recording of it to date. Excellent work from the orchestra, particularly the brass and woodwinds.

This disc leaves a listener with many different things to marvel at. He could marvel at the symphonic accomplishment of a man who died short of his 36th birthday. Or he could marvel at the continued disregard for, and ignorance of, that same accomplishment, given its melodic accessiblity, and its formal brilliance. He could marvel at his own good fortune in discovering such a rare bird as Kalinnikov.

A quick look at the reviews here suggests that, among the few who have even bothered with such an obscure name as Kalinnikov's, the acceptance is qualified. The reviews, though generally positive, seem to find the music too folksy and light. There are also repeated observations about the disparity in quality between the 1st and the 2nd Symphonies. That disparity is present, but it is so slight, and both works stand so far above the works of similarly obscure 19th century symphonists, that it hardly seems worth the effort to make the observation.

By way of orientation and explication, Kalinnikov's two symphonies do not merit parity with those of Tchaikovsky, Brahms or Dvorak (all of whom are slightly older to be sure, but all of whom were working in the symphonic genre contemporaneously). However, Kalinnikov's symphonies stand above those of Raff, Balakirev, Fibich, Huber, and Bruckner (Bruckner qualifies for the adjective "obscure symphonist" in these uncultured United States). The opinion that Kalinnikov's symphonies are preferable to those of Mahler would be a dangerous one. A more defensible position would be that they are certainly, if not better, more to this reviewer's taste.

To the works themselves; nowhere, in symphonic literature, are there more tuneful creations than Kalinnikov's. To what extent Kalinnikov's themes are his own, or are cribbed from Russian folk music, should be a matter of indifference. He rises above any charge of plagiary or lack of imagination by virtue of his sublime discipline in developing the tunes -- take, for instance, the fugato in the middle of the first symphony's first movement. Or listen to the way in which the last movement of the same work recapitulates -- in a non-artificial, and necessary fashion -- the thematic material of the first. His sense of symphonic architecture is evident at every turn.

In addition, he has a marvelous sense of orchestral color -- witness the very beginning of the first symphony's second movement, with its gently rocking strings and mysterious harp-strummings.

Kalinnikov's achievement as a symphonist cannot really be overpraised. It has been the victim of the opposite treatment, for what reason I cannot say. The works are attractive, and thoroughly worked-out in the high symphonic style.

Two great symphonies that should be a part of the repertoire of every orchestra.

The Naxos performance is good but it is no match for the Jarvi performance on Chandos with the RSNO. That disc is worth the extra outlay given that the quality of the performance and the sound are so much superior. Thankfully Chandos has released the two symphonies on one disc in the last year.

I bought this CD on impulse and I'm so glad I did. These 2 symphonies are well worth getting to know. If you like Borodin you will definitely want to hear these. I was worried at first they might be dull late romantic period pieces but Kalinnikov has a light touch that makes these symphonies riveting throughout.

I first became acquainted with Kalinnikov via two Angel Melodiya records in the 1960's. I don't know if these versions have made it to CD. They featured Yevgeni Svetlanov and a Russian orchestra who's name escapes me at this time. I bought this CD on the hunch that a Russian orchestra knows how to play this music and I was not disappointed. Beautiful melodies that just melt your heart. This composer had the gift of being able to spin a great tune. His orchestrational skills were advanced and as proof Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, both excellent composers, recommended him to publishers.
The first symphony does not flow as well as the second but has some great melodies. The Symphony Orchestra Of The Ukraine is a polished ensemble but I will admit it's not the RSNO and they are at home with this music.
The Penguin Record Guide dismisses this version on Naxos but over the years my reading of this Guide reveals a very obvious bias in favor of British Orchestras, British Composers and British CD Labels, particularly, Hyperion and Chandos. Don't overlook this CD. You will not be disappointed with these interpretations and the price is right.

If you like Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, you will like these symphonies. They bridge the gap between these two masters. A very clean recording.