Kara Karayev: Symphony No. 3. Leyla and Mejnun; Don Quixote

Kara Karayev (Composer), Dmitry Yablonsky (Conductor), Russian Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Dmitry Yablonsky
• Composer: Kara Karayev
• Audio CD (October 28, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B001F1YBV2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,915 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting music, well played, November 25, 2008

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kara Karayev: Symphony No. 3. Leyla and Mejnun; Don Quixote (Audio CD)

Karayev was a pupil of Shostakovich, but his highly individual and expressive style is not really overly reminiscent of the slightly older master. The symphonic poem Leyla and Mejnun, the oldest work here and one of Karayev's most popular, is rather in the style of Khachaturian - an interesting and enjoyable nationalist pastiche, but in the end not very substantial work. Don Quixote, based on musical material for a film score, is more interesting: A series of character pieces connected by almost Pictures from an Exhibition-like promenade sequences, this is attractive, well-crafted and enjoyable music.

The third symphony is, however, the gem here. It combines elements of Azerbaijani music with Karayev's own and eminently individual take on serialism. Composed for a chamber orchestra, this almost chaleidoscopic score is colorful and interesting from start to end., excellently scored and not very like anything else.

The playing is a little rough at times, but Yablonsky and the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra on the whole convincingly bring these scores to life. The sound is a little lifeless, but nothing to complain too loudly about. Recommended.