Khachaturian: Spartacus; Gayaneh; The Seasons [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Alexander Glazunov (Composer), Aram Khachaturian (Composer), Aram Khachaturian (Conductor), Ernest Ansermet (Conductor), L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Orchestra), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Aram Khachaturian, Ernest Ansermet
• Composer: Alexander Glazunov, Aram Khachaturian
• Audio CD (April 11, 2000)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00004C8TA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,622 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid performances!, April 24, 2005

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Khachaturian: Spartacus; Gayaneh; The Seasons (Audio CD)

The serene and exotic lyricism of this notable work has never been exhibited with so eloquence and majesty ever before. This adagio of Spartacus and Phygia's passionate performance is imbued of profane exoticism, radiant sensuality and suggested eroticism. As you know the string and winds section of the Vienna were in that decade one of the most remarkable around the world. The variation of Aegina and Bacchanalia is loaded with admirable acrobatic fierceness. Scene and dance with crotaria is simply outstanding. Kachaturian as director maintained the rigorous balance, and the muscle never shatters the expression musical. The last section Dance of Gaditane and Spartacus' victory is extremely interesting, the bass clarinet makes a rapture filigree work, anticipating the tragic ending. The whole orchestra will emerge creating a real homage to Dionysisus and surrounding the hall with that Balkan wildness.

The Gayaneh suite begins with the super known Sabre Dance, an admirable exercise of portentous sound and exhibition of high caliber pyrotechnic. The tragic and premonitory omen waltz is almost a perpetuum mobile that strikes the main melody in Aysheh's awakening and dance. In Lezghinka we have to admit the superior histamine doses given by Tekjnavorian . It' s worthy but it is not even closer to incandescence and febrile spirit demanded: I found it weak, lack of the required emotion. In the case of Gayaneh's adagio so well known for the great audiences since Kubrick 's 2001 Odyssey we have to recognize it' s simply great, serene, persuasive, intimate with admirable fond. Hopak is excellent too, reflecting the joy of living so characteristic o this slave country.

Ansermet' s Seasons is splendid though I rather choose the Albert Wolff's performance of the fifties.

And just as historical reference, it is a must for you to acquire this golden recording. Excellent sound edition.

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Branch Out & Get This Recording, August 22, 2000

By 

Trevor Gillespie "sol_man" (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Khachaturian: Spartacus; Gayaneh; The Seasons (Audio CD)

Not having been familiar with the name Khachaturian, I overlooked this release in the Decca Legends series for a while. However, I decided that the time had come to branch out and give it a try. Two main things immediately impressed me. One, the recorded sound. I am shocked that this was recorded back in the early 60's. The sound is so clear and crisp. The triangles used ring beautifully, the bass is full, the harps are glorious, and the bass drums boom. The second thing that immediately impressed me was the beauty of the music. I discovered that there is the famous piece (previously I didn't know who wrote it) from Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure (i.e. Sabre Dance from Gayneh), but more than that, the slow pieces are reflective, warm, and tender. I thought that this music might be a bit too modern, but unlike some 'modern' music, this is good!!! I think one of the coolest things about this particular recording is that the composer is the conductor as well, so you are hearing the music the way the conductor intended it. I must also make a pitch here for the Vienna Philharmonic who plays on the Khachaturian pieces. Everyone knows they are one of the great if not the greatest orchestras in the world, and they certainly don't turn in anything less than great on this CD. The Glazunov piece (The Seasons) is quite wonderful as well. Certainly not just filler music, but actually quite beautiful. Personally, since I am not a big fan of baroque, I find it much more appealling than Vivaldi's Seasons.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Digitization!, August 11, 2009

By 

J. DOUGLAS-SMITH (Perth, WA, Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Khachaturian: Spartacus; Gayaneh; The Seasons (Audio CD)

I'm a recording engineer and I completely refute Kenneth Maher's review. The 96 kHz 24 bit digitization of the original analogue master tapes is superb. Admittedly there is a little analogue tape hiss present during soft passages when played at high volume, but there are definitely NO vinyl scratches nor is there any cassette tape noise! As to the performance...it's quite simply mind boggling to hear Khachaturian conducting his own masterpieces. For me, the Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia is worth the price of the CD alone, not to mention the extraordinary rendition of Sabre dance; played at a tempo quite unlike any I've heard before. This is champagne classical music at a Bud Lite price...buy it and be happy!