Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites [Original recording remastered]

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), André Cluytens (Conductor), Paul Kletzki (Conductor), Lovro von Matacic (Conductor), Efrem Kurtz (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra), Philharmonia Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Philharmonia Orchestra
• Conductor: André Cluytens, Paul Kletzki, Lovro von Matacic, Efrem Kurtz
• Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
• Audio CD (August 14, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005NEZY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,123 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding Rimsky-Korsakov, July 27, 2003

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite CDs in the latest installment of EMI's Seraphim budget-line series. "Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites" collects just what it says, some of the composer's best-known and most-loved shorter works for orchestra, including the Tsar Sultan and Golden Cockerel Suites, Russian Easter Overture and Capriccio Espagnol. Though the best part about this disc for a vintage stereo fan like myself is classic performances with the Philharmonia Orchestra by some of the lesser-known, but nonetheless great, conductors of the 20th Century -- Paul Kletzki, Andre Cluytens, Lovro von Matacic and Efrem Kurtz. All of this material has been available on CD previously, and in fact the only piece I don't have on two different products is the Matacic Russian Easter Overture performance. But those of you who started collecting classical late (like me) and haven't had a chance to purchase titles in the "Artist Profile" series, will truly benefit from the current availability of these magnificent recordings. And those of you who could care less about what I just said and were just looking for a second Rimsky-Korsakov disc because you are ready to move-on from your heavily played copy of Scheherazade, you've happened upon a real gem.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Choice, February 24, 2007

By 

Franklin Thompson (Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites (Audio CD)

I heartily concur with reviewer Richman's assessment of this re-release on the Seraphim label. Unlike him, I am a long-time collector who is just trying to fill a few "holes" in my music library without breaking the bank. Bingo! This recording was a perfect choice for me. Nice sound, good performances, all you could ask for.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rimsky-Korsakov Showpieces Played by the Legendary Philharmonia, February 4, 2009

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites (Audio CD)

The attraction here is a budget issue of colorful Rimsky-Korsakov selections played by the famous Philharmonia Orchestra, one of the greatest orchestras of its time. The conductors are something of a mixture, but all could deliver an above average performance, and Cluytens, Kletzki, and Kurz were known for bringing a lighter, more transparent touch to their music-making, which fits this music quite nicely. Along with the lack of heavy-handed noise, they all show a great deal of vivacity in leading this luxury band through its paces.

The mixture of conductors doesn't seem to cause any great havoc to the music - a Cluytens version of The Flight of the Bumblebee from 1958 fills in a gap in the 1960 Kletzi recording of the Tsar Sultan Suite. This is follow by a good if not thrilling reading of the Russian Easter Overture under von Matacic, a recording which never falls into bombast, a problem not uncommon with this work, thanks in large part to his distinquished orchestra, which seems largely impeccable and quite unflappable in the busiest, loudest sections. This is not my favorite piece of music, so perhaps my lack of extra enthusiasm doesn't do this Seraphim version justice. I suspect Stokowski is the right man for this music - See Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Russian Easter Overture

Efrem Kurtz leads the orchestra in Rimsky's late music from his last opera, "The Golden Cockerel". Recorded in 1963 the general effect here is of a major orchestra miked rather centrally, with no efforts at excessive spotlighting, as is too often the case in such showpieces. The horn solos are not the best I've heard, but some of the other solos are superbly done, and the single instruments sound in balance with the overall orchestra's volume, rather than suddenly boosted. The strings remain enchanting, and the natural transparency of Rimsky's music is marvelously diplayed without trickery. Again, there are more in your face performances, especially in the most up-to-date recordings, but for the sense of off-hand ease the Philharmonia conveys at all times as they traverse the music...pretty impressive.

Throughout these selections we can hear the inroads of a large number of alien musical influences on the music of a composer who has already mastered his craft to a fare-thee-well. Notable are definite concessions in his string writing to the sounds of the Wagner orchestra. It's clear Rimsky had also been following the music of that turn of the century enfant terrible, Strauss. Wild, evocative solos burst forth from seemingly nowhere throughout the music for "The Golden Cockerel".

The last selection is the famous "Capriccio Espagnol". Cluytens leads a crisp well-played reading, with some excellent solo work. However, this falls short of the brilliant reading under Kondrashin. (Including several other very well done selections - Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite; Kabalevsky: The Comedians; Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien; Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol / Kondrashin

These are excellent examples of Rimsky-Korsakov's skill as orchestrator, and the Capriccio is a genuine small masterpiece. The reason one would chose this Cd set over another has to be the orchestra - a superb ensemble, here showing how good they are with an insouciant ease. Whether the Cd deserves five stars or four depends on how much you like hearing the Philharmonia at near its best. Given the budget price, I think five stars is not unreasonable and happily recommend it.