Customer Reviews

Khachaturian: Symphony 3 / Triumphal Poem

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This was my first introduction to Aram Khachaturian's music (save his Suites) and I must admit, it is infectious. The style is highly Romantic, although there is a clear move towards Soviet-style, post-Stalin compositions, ala Shostakovich. His bombastic Symphony No. 3 and cheerful Triumphal Poem are coupled on this disk with Ippolitov-Ivanov's famous Caucasian Sketches.

The Symphony No. 3 has a large orchestration, including a large role for organ and a call for 15 trumpets. An angry fanfare blares over a pedal point, and leads into a rushing whirlwind of virtuosic organ playing. When the ideas are combined, you get a real sense of the Soviet commentary in Khatchaturian's music. Following the flurry of activity, a broad melody, with obvious folk-influences and cinematic sweep takes over; there is an unmistakable Spanish quality to some of the folksy harmonic treatment. A calm re-orchestration of the opening follows and build to a grotesque march in 5/4 time. Suffice to say, the march leads to an immense climax, and a return of the 15 trumpets and organ, not to mention a riotous dance recalling the Spanish exoticism, concludes the work at 25 minutes. An interesting a breathless symphony.

The Caucasian Sketches, also 25 minutes long, is made of four movements (In the Mountain Pass, In the Village, In the Mosque, and Procession of the Sarder). Ippolitov-Ivanov uses more folk-influenced tunes, often recalling the Middle-East and Russia, but overall, more subdued compared to the rest of the CD. It is the Procession of the Sardar that carries the composers' fame, although each are little Nationalistic gems.

The 16-minute Triumphal Poem evokes a carnival procession with an immensely happy tune that is skippy and humorous and strewn throughout the work in many forms. While Khatchaturian meanders through pastoral, lyrical melodies, rustic dances complete with drones and hunting-horn calls, and sweeping, romantic themes, all aspects of the middle portion of the work. In the final reprise of the opening, the melody comes back in many guises: a grand march, slowly in augmentation, and in minor as a Russian march). It is a catchy and joyous work.

The BBC Philharmonic under Fedor Glushchenko play all out on these extroverted compositions. Glushchenko follows all the score markings (articulation and tempos) very closely, allowing for natural performances. The orchestra is terrific, playing with reckless abandon in many cases; the brass in particular, is very cohesive. The Chandos sound is outstanding as usual; all in all, highly recommended, fun, Russian music.

Khachaturian's 3rd Symphony must be one of the most under-played and under-appreciated orchestal works of the 20th century. This is good ol' bombastic Aram at his best; count 'em...15 trumpets cry out in triumph to open this piece and whet the listener's appetite for the big music to come. Then the demonically possesed organ begins to sound; this is "haunted house" music par excellence. Of course, exotic dance rhythms and melodies abound here too, a Khachaturian trademark. As a whole, this music is loud, loud, loud and the sonics of this Chandos recording catch all the details. It can't get much better.

A workable treatment is given to Ippolitov-Ivanov's CAUCASIAN SKETCHS, no doubt included on this recording to accompany the Trans-Caucasian musings of Khachaturian. The most famous of the sketchs, PROCESSION OF THE SARDAR dissapoints the most; it lacks the needed "oomph" to really bring the piece to life. Notwithstanding, the rest of Ippolitov-Ivanov's evocative orchestral suite is performed much more authentically.

Khachaturian's TRIUMPHAL POEM is a rare gem. Ok, so this Soviet-era music is unabshely nationalistic, but it remains good spirited and fun.

Highly recommended, especially for the 3rd Symphony.

Why is "Procession of the Sardar" taken so slow lately? My recording of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops is so energized and my old recording with Anatole Fistoulari on and RCA LP is so much more energized! Both Fagan (NAXOS) and Gluschenko are so slow! It seems that elephants are processing! I also do not like Tjeknavorian's because of the cavernous sound. In the 3rd symphony, Stokowski and Tjeknavorian win hands down-at 18 minutes apiece, at least the experience is not as long as Gluschenko's-25 minutes! It just goes on and on!! This CD needed lots of pumping up. It sounds to me like a rehearsal instead of a finished performance. Keep your fingers crossed for a A1 recording of the Sketches in the future.

I purchased this CD for the Khachaturian Symphony #3, of which only two recordings are currently available. I grew up with a version of it on vinyl, which I cannot find on CD. It doesn't matter. This recording is better. The performance is not perfect, but it is committed, grand, and ultimately convincing. I suspect it's hard to make this symphony convincing because it is such a radical departure from traditional symphonic form and orchestration. I've read snide reviews, but I don't accept them. I think the symphony is a work of visionary genius, a haunting tour-de-force if done right, but one that is easy to get wrong and at best not suited for everyone. At any rate, my complaint here is not with the performance or the music. It is with the recording quality. Based on previous reviews and on the way the clips sounded through my headphones, I expected better. On the big speakers the dynamic range sounds compressed, and the sound stage is slightly congested and distant. I've heard worse, of course, but I think an all-digital recording these days should sound better than this.

Khachaturian: Symphony 3 / Triumphal Poem is a 1994 Chandos Records recording under direction of Fedor Glushchenko who leads BBC Philharmonic. David Nice has written the music notes. Sound quality is splendid and the recording is very good indeed. Highly recommended. 5/5.

I wouldn't reccommend this for the Ippolitov-Ivanov piece. I have listened to it a number of times, and it isn't why I pop in the cd. I don't skip over it (ok, well, sometimes I do), it simply is not a reason for buying the disc. Many composers write soothing music. Most write it better than it is performed here. Two stars, but that isn't an embarrassment. I would regret the purchase if it were only for that.

Symphony 3. I heard it twice on satellite radio, and knew I needed this piece of music. If you like loud and brassy, really loud and really brassy, this was made for you. Not many pieces 'sound like Khachaturian's 3rd.' Those that do, I want to hear. Don't buy this on a lark. If you dig this stuff on first listen, not many options exist.

While I bought this for the 3rd, I may enjoy the opening track more. By twenty seconds in, I was hooked. The 'Triumphal Poem' is a fun ride with a few twists, and I feel happy I picked up this cd each time I hear either the first or last track.

If you like stirring Russian stuff like Rachmaninov, you'll probably like this one.