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4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Compilation of Russian Orchestral Showpieces, January 10, 2006
This review is from: Tchaikovsky-1812 Overture (White Nights - Romantic Russian Showpieces) (Audio CD)
This is an enjoyable compilation 19th and 20th century Russian and Soviet/Armenian (Khatchaturian) orchestral showpieces, with an interesting and informative essay in the CD insert. Two interesting selections, "Baba-Yaga" and "Kikimora", by Anatol Liadov (1855 - 1914), a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov, are based on witches from Russian folklore and are not that well-known outside of Russia. All of the selections are performed well by Valery Gergiev and the Kirov Orchestra.
I did have the impression is listening to this CD that some of the more powerful passages were played somewhat too forcefully. Perhaps this impression was due more to the sound engineering than the conductor and orchestra. For example, on Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, when the percussion imitates the boom of the cannon, it sounds almost a sonic boom coming across the speakers. With that reservation, I recommend this as a well-performed and entertaining selection of orchestral showpieces.
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