Khachaturian: Symphony 3 / Triumphal Poem

Aram Khachaturian (Composer), Fedor Glushchenko (Conductor), BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Fedor Glushchenko
• Composer: Aram Khachaturian
• Audio CD (January 24, 1995)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000AVP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,514 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Disc, March 6, 2003

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Khachaturian: Symphony 3 / Triumphal Poem (Audio CD)

This recording was highly recommended by Gramophone for the excellent performances by the BBC Philharmonic, particularly of the Khachaturian works. Chandos should also be complimented on the wonderfully clear quality of the recording. Aram Khachaturian is among my favorite composers; he wrote colorful melodies that are very appealing. The main interest on this disc is Khatchaturian's Third Symphony, a work premiered along with Prokofiev's Sixth Symphony in 1947. Both works got their composers in trouble for their "modernism". Khatchaturian's symphony is noteworthy for the 18 trumpets called for in the score, which play a fanfare in seven parts that is undercut by an organ. The music shows Khachaturian experimenting musically. This is not just a work of bombast with the brass playing triumphal music; it also has a slow movement reminiscent of the beautiful slow movements from his piano and violin concertos.

The Triumphal Poem is a piece d'occasion like Shostakovich's Festival Overture. It is music that the Communist Party could appreciate since it is meant to describe people rejoicing in a great people's festival. The Triumphal Poem is charming music as befits a celebration and is, characteristically of Khatchaturian, is a little long winded.

The performance of Ippolitov-Ivanov's Caucasian Sketches makes a nice pairing. The work is perfectly played, with the exotic and colorful depiction of places and people wonderfully conveyed. Certainly, the best know part of this suite is the Procession of the Sardar, a march that seems to perfectly describe a sultan and his entourage. "In the Village" makes use of exotic colors convey the many facets of village life and "In the Mosque" is quiet and contemplative. The suite beautifully conveys the place it is meant to describe the Caucasian Mountains.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Khachaturian's compelling Symphony No. 3, August 29, 2005

By 

Larry VanDeSande - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Khachaturian: Symphony 3 / Triumphal Poem (Audio CD)

The main attraction on this Chandos disc is the Symphony No. 3 by Armenian Soviet composer Aram Khachaturian. Written in the era when Soviet officials had banned "formalism" in music -- AKA sonata form or any other form that excluded heroic Soviet themes amidst patriotic flag-waving -- Khachaturian responded by composing what he called a "symphony poem".

The 24 minute excursion is hardly a symphony -- not even in the realm of Strauss's looseleaf "Alpine" Symphony -- nor is it a symphonic poem in the strictest sense. It bears little in common, developmentally, with Khachaturian's Symphony No. 2, his best symphony.

In addition, the recording uses 15 trumpets to help make its statement. The music revolves around a patriotic theme that turns into an organ statement followed by blasts from the brass and strings. A more rhapsodic episode ensues, to be followed by more ostinato organ and brass. It could be called vapid and empty if it wasn't so good!

The whole thing is one of the loudest musical episodes I've ever heard and one of the most amazing classical extravaganzas short of Messian's "Turangaglia" Symphony. Strangely, it works wonderfully in its excessive, forceful way. The music variably sounds like a patriotic Soviet suite and American film music. The organ section reminded me of William Bolcom's "Black Host", a composition for organ and percussion that was played on NPR stations on Halloween in the 1970s.

About the other compositions...This was the first recording of Khachaturian's "Triumphal Poem" a more traditional (for Khachaturian) Eurasian themed piece in a major key. It is still the only recording listed of this pleasant score.

This performance of Ippolitov-Ivanov's "Caucasian Sketches" is quite good by my reckoning. It may not have the panache of your old favorite but is far more than a tuneful makeweight to the more highly recommended Khachaturian. I found the "In the Mosque" section quite memorable with its mournful underpinnings.

The BBC Philharmonic plays wonderfully on this well recorded CD for conductor Fedor Glushcehenko, who was trained at the Moscow Conservatory. The notes talk about the music and performers and give you some insight into why the two are merged on this recording.

All told, this is most valuable for the energetic and forceful performance of the Symphony No. 3, which has only been recorded a couple other times. This version is clearly preferable among those available.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and compelling, May 15, 2001

By 

Benjamin R. Garrison (Lynnwood, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Khachaturian: Symphony 3 / Triumphal Poem (Audio CD)

I'm a relative newcomer to the music of Khachaturian and I'm a little surprised that his work isn't more popular. You may hear his 'Masquerade Suite' on the radio and that's about it. He deserves a lot more play.

Khachaturian has a distinctive 20th-century style and yes, it can get LOUD. I bought this particular CD after listening to his 2nd Symphony and his piano concerto (I also highly recommend both).

The most distinctive thing about this symphony is the organ. It sounds obsessive, fanatical and POWERFUL. Saint Saens put an organ in his symphony and so did Tchaikovsky (Manfred Symphony) and they were charming. Khachaturian's is more spellbinding and driven than charming. You'll hear nothing like this in church.

There is depth and melody here too. A memorable listening adventure awaits you.