Customer Reviews

Khachaturian: Gayaneh Complete Ballet

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I can't possibly comprehend why this ballet is not recorded in its full length more often! Of course, everyone is familiar with the charismatic "Sabre Dance," but the rest of the ballet is equally delightful. The music is filled with exotic colors and rhythms; if you like the Eastern flavor found in much of Rimsky-Korsakov's and Borodin's music, you'll absolutely adore this ballet. This particular recording, made in 1976, sounds fresh and energetic, as if it were recorded yesterday. I'm not familiar with the earlier releases that the reviewer from Atlanta mentions, but the Russian Disc release has excellent sound and clarity. Djansug Kakhidze, although still rather unknown to me, is obviously a capable conductor, and the USSR Radio and TV Large Symphony Orchestra plays with the passion and flair that only a huge Soviet orchestra can achieve. Tragically, this recording is currently out of print. Don't let that stop you, however. Seek out this recording and buy it at any cost; it's well worth it!

OK, this ballet comes in different spellings, Gayne, Gayeneh, Gayane, and different versions: an original (1942) complete, a revised (1957) complete and a variety of suites and excerpts. This is the complete revised version, which has extra material or padding added to the original, depending on your viewpoint.
The sonics are vintage Soviet stereo, which is to say a bit odd, but Kakhidze, best known for his association with Giya Kancheli, leads an unabashed good romp through the score, which to me at least offers an hour or more of guilty pleasure.

I came onto this recording when it was issued on Columbia vynil. It was captivating, the music is extremely beautiful. About 6 years ago I found it on MCI label, I grabbed it hoping that recording was cleaned up, it was not, but at least I did not have to listen to scratches anymore-hiss but no scratches. 2 years ago I found it at Media Play 2 CDs repackaged in a single CD box under VOX BOX label. I grabbed it but still no remastered sound. The recording is gorgeous, Melodiya did a super job, but it shows its age, some parts of it are really transparent, wonderful; some parts just don't sound good. These CD's are not indexed either, another disappointment. This is an interesting piece of music: it has those melodies that captivate you, capture you. When I lisen to this ballet, I liste to it for weeks, and I still can't get it out of my system. In the end I force myself to put it away until next time. Look for those labels I mentioned. Especially the VOX BOX should still be available. Enjoy.

This is a great piece of symphonic work. I have the Music Fidelity Sound Lab re-mastered CD box and the sound quality is unbelievable.

Me too I can't put the system down, this ballet is a drug for me!!(lol)I was very lucky to found this set of 2CD complete ballet!!!At last!! I found also the complete ballet of Spartacus!! Gayaneh is the most expensive CD I ever paid of my life but who care?! Its a masterpiece, its Khachaturian!!!

I have been a fan of the Gayane Ballet since I first was given an LP recording of Suites 1 and 2 performed by Efrem Kurtz and the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York many years ago. When I shifted my collection to the digital format I looked for a recording of the entire ballet and finally found the one reviewed here.

Needless to say I was thrilled to discover this recording and was very pleased with the new music to which I was introduced. The version I own was produced by Mobile Fidelity Sound lab in 1980. The version of the ballet recorded on these discs, according to the liner notes, is the version the Bolshoi Theater produced in 1958. The liner notes also include a brief history of Gayane and a synopsis of the ballet.

The music of Gayane is both beautiful and powerful, a combination of the folk and classic traditions resulting in a compelling music event well suited for concert performance.

If you're only familiar with the selections contained in the Suites you're in for a big treat!