Customer Reviews

Khachaturian: Spartacus; Gayaneh; The Seasons

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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And just as historical reference, it is a must for you to acquire this golden recording.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

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.

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!

When I purchased this CD, I had no idea that I would be listening to extracts of the two Khachaturian ballet suites, Spartacus and Gayaneh. I received the package from Amazon and excitedly opened the wrapping only to find--on the BACK of the CD--that both suites were labelled "excerpts".

I know the Spartacus suite pretty well, and upon listening to it, was further horrified to find that Decca had also reordered the various sections or "pieces" of the entire work. First to be heard is the fabulous love duet between Spartacus and and his wife--the most famous piece of the masterpiece, but NOT the first piece, as originally composed by Khachaturian. In the original suite the love duet is the second piece and very much needs the build-up of the first piece, called on my album, "Aegina's Variations". While listening, I became even more incensed when I realized that Decca had actually lopped off a few minutes of selected pieces.

I can never listen to this CD because I do not want my mind polluted with a cut-and-paste version of the Spartacus Suite, and I am only thankful that I already knew it well enough to realize that it was not genuine.

All of the previous reviewers were overwhelmed by the beauty of Khachaturian's work, but somehow I doubt that they would want to learn a version that was incorrectly ordered and abridged.

It's well worth hearing Khachaturian conduct his own gorgeous music--he drives the orchestra relentlessly, forcing it to bring all the sweetness and pathos of the music to life. I could not recommend a composer or a suite more highly than Khachaturian's Spartacus. But, not an extracted, edited version. To me a piece of music, as written by the composer, is sacrosanct. And when I am considering whether or not to buy a CD from Amazon, I expect to be informed if it contains the real score/s or a deformed abridgment of them. Now I have to wonder how many other CD's offered here are indeed what they purport to be.

One of the most important tools in learning a new piece of music is having access to a good recording. When the conductor of my orchestra announced that we would be perfoming Spartacus this season, I was a little dissapointed; having never heard of this piece of music, I wondered why my conductor found it so intriguing... then, picked up this recording... wow! Not only is this music among the most interesting and original I've ever heard or performed, but this particular recording is wonderfully musical. It is much easier to understand my conductors musical choices when I listen to this, as Khachaturian appears to be a very good orchestra leader, with well developped ideas of the style of performance. This recording makes it very easy to understand why my conductor chose to program this piece, and is a very exciting addition to my CD collection.

I got this CD for the Adagio from the ballet "Spartacus", which is sublime. It was the basis for the love theme from "Mayerling"-(1968) with Omar Sharif and Catherine Deneuve, and also used in "The Hudsucker Proxy". I ripped it into my computer so I can listen to it while I work. Some parts of it suggest the final pas de deux of Albrecht and Giselle in the ballet "Giselle." Very lush and romantic.

I listened first time this beatiful music in 1979 when I saw "Caligula" picture and I was impressed by its tematic richness.

Now when I had this CD, I check one more time the magnificent beautiful of this music. Is a great example of feeling, sensivity and strength.

The great composer Shostakovich said that this is a common music, but isn't true.

Portions of this work were used in the BBC Oneden Line in the 1980s. The title had me baffled for years until I checked the reviews. I was surprised and extremely pleased to have the entire version.

Spartacus and Gayaneh are very difficult to find in their complete form. This CD is packed full of energetic music from Khachaturian. "The Seasons" is not filler music by any means, it could have been sold itself and I would have been happy. Highly recommend this CD for lovers of Russian music!

Excellent CD and everything that I expected when I purchased 2 copies. One was for my son who also enjoys this music. Great CD for quiet listening and reflection.