Russian Overtures

Mikhail Glinka (Composer), Alexander Borodin (Composer), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Sergey Prokofiev (Composer), Dmitry Kabalevsky (Composer), Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Conductor), Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov (Orchestra), Mikhail Pletnev (Artist), Russian National Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov
• Conductor: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Composer: Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Borodin, Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergey Prokofiev, Dmitry Kabalevsky, et al.
• Audio CD (January 17, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001GM2
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,917 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ruslan And Ludmilla

2. Prince Igor

3. Festive Overture Op. 96

4. Semyon Kotko

5. Colas Breugnon

6. The Tsar's Bride

7. Khovanshchina

8. Overture In F Major

9. Ouverture solennelle op. 73

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As fast as you can..., July 24, 1999

By 

Jonathan Blumhofer (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Russian Overtures (Audio CD)

I've taken notice in the last few months to the fact that Russian orchestras seem to play Russian music really, really well. This CD is a fine example to back up that observance. Pletnev is incredible in his speed on some of these pieces, and the orchestra is even moreso in its ability to keep up. I've never heard "Russlan & Ludmilla" played so quickly (the CSO/Solti take 8 seconds longer), and it's really pretty nifty hearing unison strings playing as quickly as possible. The clarinet solo towards the end of Borodin is outright gorgeous, and Shostakovich's Festival Overture is (for lack of more clever terming ability) quite festive indeed. The rest of the disc is an assortment of delights, including (among other things) an early Tchaikovsky piece. Overall it's a lot of fun and a treat to listen to.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Hour of Music, January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Russian Overtures (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful collection of Russian music, spanning a wide variety of styles, periods, and composers. It successfully brings together several well-known concert pieces and a number of works that are rarely heard in the United States. Pletnev's direction is exciting and buoyant, and the playing of the Russian National Orchestra is always crisp. The CD gets your attention right away, with the single fastest rendering of Russlan and Ludmilla that I have ever heard. It's well worth the purchase price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Russian Music, June 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Russian Overtures (Audio CD)

I absolutely love the quality to which the Russian National
Orchestra plays these overtures. What a distinctly Russian style. Almost takes you to Moscow.
I do have to say, that I enjoy Ruslan and Ludmilla played a bit slower...there is so much depth to that piece, that it gets missed when played in such a rapid style. Although it is nice for a variation.
If you enjoy overtures or Russian composers....you will enjoy this CD!