Léon Minkus: Don Quijote

Leon Minkus (Composer), Anton Simon (Composer), Vasily Pavlovich Solovyov-Sedoy (Composer), Boris Spassov (Conductor), Sofia National Opera Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Sofia National Opera Orchestra
• Conductor: Boris Spassov
• Composer: Leon Minkus, Anton Simon, Vasily Pavlovich Solovyov-Sedoy
• Audio CD (December 12, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Capriccio
• ASIN: B000001WS6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,079 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful recording of neglected composer, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Léon Minkus: Don Quijote (Audio CD)

This recording of DON QUIXOTE (the only relatively complete recording of the ballet) is a must for all lovers of ballet. While some of the orchesteral playing tends toward the insensitive oom-pah-pah side Leon Minkus's lilting score loses none of its charm or vivacity. This recording is also interesting in that it records much music which is rarely performed in American productions of the ballet. It is a delight to be able to hear the hauntingly beautiful vision scene whenever one wishes as the three variations (four if you count the recording of the original Dryad Queen's pas seul) are each masterpieces. The programme notes, unfortunately, are poorly translated and less complete than one would like. All in all I can not reccomend highly enough this fine recording of a neglected composer's work. One can only hope that other 19th century Russian ballets will be recorded. The reputations of Ceasare Pugni, Leon Minkus, and Riccardo Drigo as hack composers are completely undeserved.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The full Quijote, February 10, 2000

By 

Kellie Harvey (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Léon Minkus: Don Quijote (Audio CD)

I was pleased to find the full length recording of this ballet that is rarely seen in its entirety. I enjoyed the recording, however, I found the orchestra less than full-bodied, especially during the Grand Pas de Deux towards the end of the CD. It seemed a little tinny, a little too fragile during Kitri's variation, which does not suit her passionate, voluptuous nature. Aside from these drawbacks, I found the music very entertaining. I am still waiting for a full length version by a more robust orchestra, but in the meantime, this Don Quijote recording will do.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is an excellent full length version of Minkus 'Ballet., May 11, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Léon Minkus: Don Quijote (Audio CD)

Usually, people who feel a strong predispotition for ballet music, have hard times in order to find on the commercial CD classical music, works by ballet music composers of the end of the last century. Minkus work has been negleted, but in the present version it is possible to listen to sensitive music which was predecesor of Tchaikovsky 's great ballet. I bougth this full length version at London city on 1995 and I know that in my country, Argentine, is quite hard to find Cappriccio CD version. I hope that Cappricio is keeping on with full length Ballet's version, hoping to listen a full length Version of L'Corsario as the production of Kirov Ballet and the Full length version of the Ballet La Source by Minkus-Delibes.