Symphonies 1-3, Piano Concerto op. 30, Capriccio Espagnol, Russian Eastern Overture, Sadko

Geoffrey Tozer (Artist), Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), Dimitri Kitajenko (Conductor), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Dimitri Kitajenko
• Composer: Rimsky-Korsakov
• Audio CD (August 20, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000AB0
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,759 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 In E Minor: I. Largo assai - Allegro

2. Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 In E Minor: II. Andante tranquillo

3. Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 In E Minor: III. Scherzo: Vivace

4. Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 In E Minor: IV. Allegro assai

5. Symphony No. 2 'Antar', Op. 9: I. Largo - Allegro giocoso

6. Symphony No. 2 'Antar', Op. 9: II. Allegro

7. Symphony No. 2 'Antar', Op. 9: III. Allegro risoluto alla marcia

8. Symphony No. 2 'Antar', Op. 9: IV. Allegretto vivace

9. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: I. Alborada: Vivo e strepitoso -

10. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: II. Variaziono: Andante con moto -

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 32 - 1886 Version: I. Moderato assai - Allegro

2. Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 32 - 1886 Version: II. Scherzo: Vivo -- Trio: Moderato

3. Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 32 - 1886 Version: III. Andante

4. Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 32 - 1886 Version: IV. Allegro con spirito

5. Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36: Lento mistico - Andante lugubre, sempre alla breve

6. Sadko, Op. 5: Moderato assai - Allegro molto - Allegretto - Poco piu vivo - Moderato assai

7. Piano Concerto In C Sharp Minor, Op. 30: Moderato - Allegretto quasi polacca - Andante mosso - Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Romantic Performance Era, June 19, 2000

By 

Kenneth E. Eis (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphonies 1-3, Piano Concerto op. 30, Capriccio Espagnol, Russian Eastern Overture, Sadko (Audio CD)

Many of us started out our classical collections and love of classical music with Rimsky-Korsakov. Our uninitiated ears responded to his lush orchestrations and exotic sounds. This new Kitajenko edition of his 3 symphonies brings back that emotional response to Admiral Korsakov's old chestnuts. Kitajenko takes these pieces at a much slower pace then other recordings, but not because of any lack of virtuosity of the Bergen Philharmonic. The slower pace, clearly how the composer would prefer it, allows each orchestral section to bring out the full emotional impact of this music. Kitayenko integrates the entire series in a masterful manner not letting the power of the orchestra to get out of control, yet he allows each section to exercise their full emotional interpretation of this rediscovered music. The Antar is particularly compelling with musical textures extracted that make the music new to ears that have heard many versions of this symphony. If you want to introduce someone to classical music and have one shot at it, select this CD. I have not had such an emotional response to a performance in many years. The Chandos recording is also up to the performance. Although it gives a coeherent soundstage, each section is allowed to show its stuff since the recording allows the full harmonic detail or all the instruments to be heard in a wonderful clear manner.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new romantic performance erra, June 19, 2000

By 

Kenneth E. Eis (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphonies 1-3, Piano Concerto op. 30, Capriccio Espagnol, Russian Eastern Overture, Sadko (Audio CD)

Many of you started your classical collections with Rimsky-Korsakov's music. I have many versions of the Antar and his other symphonies and tone poems but none match the pure romantic elegance of this Kitajenko recording. He takes the music at a slower pace then we are all familiar with, but not because of a lack or vertuosity of the Bergen Philharmonic. The music drips with romantic intensity and the still exotic sounds of Admiral Korsakov's orchestrations. The music is tightly played yet Kitajenko allows the orchestrate's various sections to bring out their own emotional interpretations. The result is a performance both well integrated and managed as a whole, yet having an emotional impact that is rare in today's sea of perfect performances. The Chandos recording is impecable allowing each section's highlighted performances to be fully realized on the recording. The full impact of the percussion, woodwinds, brass and strings are not compromized in the recording chain. This set is a must have for the casual classical listener as well as the Romantic or Russian music collector.