Orchestral Pictures From Russia

Modest mussorgsky (Composer), Alexander Glazunov (Composer), Rimsky Korsakov (Composer), Anatol Lyadov (Composer), Mily Balakirev (Composer), Alexander Borodin (Composer), Anton Arensky (Composer), Vasili Kalinnikov (Composer), Evgeny Svetlanov (Conductor), USSR Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: USSR Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Evgeny Svetlanov
• Composer: Modest mussorgsky, Alexander Glazunov, Rimsky Korsakov, Anatol Lyadov, Mily Balakirev, et al.
• Audio CD (June 17, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: BMG/Melodiya
• ASIN: B000001HDC
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #166,871 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Dawn on the Moscow River, prelude for orchestra (from Khovanshchina), edited by Shostakovich

2. Night on Bald Mountain (Noch' na Lďsoy gore), symphonic poem, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov

3. Gopak (Hopak), for orchestra, transcribed by Liadov from the opera Sorochintsď Fair

4. In the Steppes of Central Asia (V sredney Azii), musical picture for orchestra

5. Prince Igor, opera (completed by Rimsky-Korsakov & Glazunov): Act II: Polovtsian Dances with Chorus

6. Sadko: Musical Picture (iii, 1892 revision), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 5

7. Russian Easter Festival Overture (Svetlďy pazdnik), for orchestra, Op. 36

8. Islamey, Oriental fantasy for piano

Disc: 2

1. Dream on the Volga, opera, Op. 16: Overture

2. Spring (Vesna), musical picture for orchestra in D major, Op. 34

3. Romantic Intermezzo for orchestra in D major, Op. 69

4. About Olden Times (Pro Slarinu), ballade for orchestra in D major, Op. 21b

5. From the Apocalypse, symphonic picture for orchestra, Op. 66

6. Baba-Yaga, for orchestra, Op. 56

7. Enchanted Lake, for orchestra, Op. 62

8. Kikimora for orchestra, Op. 63

9. Nimfď (The Nymphs), symphonic picture for orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Russian sound for russian music., December 2, 2002

By	"angelgabriel4" (Canada) - See all my reviews

Soviet orchestras were the only orchestras ever to properly do justice to many russian pieces in my opinion. After hearing many of the pieces on this disc, I can't help but find American or West European versions of the same works a bit bland in comparison. Extremely emotional and moving renditions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original Russian sound - glorious Svetlanov recordings!, July 20, 2007

By	A. Vella "Russophile" (Malta) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD set was part of a series released by BMG in the mid 90s after their licensing agreement with Russian record label MELODIYA. All CDs in the series have now been deleted (shame on BMG!). This particular title was one of the first in the series.

It is amazing that one reviewer claimed that both orchestra & conductor are 'obscure'!! Hello??? The USSR (State) Symphony Orchestra, now the Russian State Symphony Orchestra is one of the finest orchestras in Russia and the late maestro Svetlanov one of the leading and most prolific conductors of the ex-USSR. He recorded an endless list of works by a wide range of composers for various labels all over the globe.

This CD focuses on known Russian works (Night on the Bare Mountain, In the Steppes of Central Asia, Russian Easter Festival Overture etc) and some very rare Russian gems (on CD2). The recordings are typical of the golden era of MELODIYA and the Russian sound of the orchestra is unmistakable. There might be better engineered recordings of these works, but Svetlanov's magic cannot be easily surpassed. Of all the 'Steppes' I have heard, this wins hands down!

Grab a copy of this set if you come across it - an excellent 'sampler' of the art of Yevgeny Svetlanov!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Russian Interpretations, September 19, 2002

By	Terence Hines "TeeJay" (Brooklyn, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't be misled by the claim in another review that this conductor and orchestra are obscure. Svetlanov was a leading Russian conductor (he died recently), and the USSR Symphony (now the Russian State Orchestra) was one of Russia's leading orchestras. These performances are part of a series of re-releases of material originally recorded by Melodiya during the Soviet era. Do not consider buying this compilation for the more familiar music; consider it for the rarities and for the the authentic Russian-sounding performances in good remastered analog stereo. If you are unsure about the music on these particular discs, investigate Svetlanov's other BMG releases, such as his Tchaikovsky symphonies (including one of the best Manfred Symphonies ever recorded).