Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko

1. Sadko, opera in 3 (or 5) acts
   Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
   with Dagmar Schellenberger, Alexander Teliga, Vladimir Vaneev, Bojidar Nikolov, Mario Guggia, Enrico Cossutta
   Conducted by Isaac Karabtchevsky
   
   

Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko,Alexander Teliga,Vladimir Vaneev,Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov,Isaac Karabtchevsky,Dagmar Schellenberger,Bojidar Nikolov,Enrico Cossutta,Mario Guggia,Mondo Musica,Classical,Classical Music,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio,Russian Romantic Opera

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Average customer rating: A fine sampler OUTSTANDING Fun CD

Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits Debussy's Greatest Hits Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits Grieg: Greatest Hits Prokofiev: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000002C5Z Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
2. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
3. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni. Andante con moto
4. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
5. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena e canto gitano
6. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano
7. Sadko: Song of India
8. The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
9. Le Coq d'or Suite: IV. Introduction and Bridal Procession
10. Mlada Suite: Procession of the Nobles
11. Tsar Saltan Suite, Op. 57: Farewell of the Tsar
12. Russian Easter Overture
13. Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
14. Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: IV. Festival at Bagdad - The Sea - Shipwreck

Customer Reviews:

A fine sampler.......2003-04-24

I purchased this CD to sample some of the pieces of Rimsky-Korsakov that I did not already own. The CD is a compilation of recognized conductors. The performances are competent, if not really inspired. Rimsky-Korsakov offers very listenable, approachable music and very rich orchestration. But this is a sampler, where most pieces are incomplete. If you are ready to jump in with both feet, purchase Scheherazade & Russian Easter Overture by Jose Serebrier, Scherazade & Cappricio Espanol by Mackerras/LSO, and Neeme Jarvi on Chandos ($$) for the rest.

I was first put off by the sonics of this CD, particularly the dynamic range, but this varies with each of the many recorded pieces.

In its favor, this CD is inexpensive, but don't expect to receive more than what you pay.

OUTSTANDING.......2002-09-16

This is a good selection of outstanding works of one of the best Russian composers. I enjoyed it very much.

Fun CD.......2002-01-29

I really appreciated the variety on this CD, from the light, bouncy bumblebee to the more bombastic pieces. I think this makes a really good intro to Korsakov's works.

Average customer rating:

Kreisler: Original Compositions & Arrangements Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fritz Kreisler Plays Kreisler Kreisler plays Kreisler The Kreisler Album The Complete Concerto Recordings, Vol. 1: Beethoven & Mendelssohn Heifetz Showpieces ASIN: B000AQACW0 Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Caprice Viennois
2. Tambourin Chinois
3. Schon Rosmarin
4. La Gitana
5. Liebesleid
6. Liebesfreud
7. Polichinelle
8. Rondino
9. La Precieuse
10. Chanson Louis XIII & Pavane
11. Scherzo
12. Gavotte
13. The Londonderry Air
14. Ballet No.2
15. The Old Refrain
16. Poupee Valsante
17. Andante Cantabile
18. Humoresque
19. Serenade Espagnole
20. Larghetto
21. Midnight Bells
22. Chanson Hindoue
23. Lotus Land
24. Danza Espagnola

Average customer rating: ravishing ! Russia's Best! The best russian performer Dmitri at his darkest and most compelling Breathtaking!

Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Songs and Dances of Death / Gergiev Sergei Rachmaninov , Alexander Borodin , Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov , Sergey Rachmaninov , Anton Rubinstein , Valery Gergiev , and Dmitri Hvorostovsky Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hvorostovsky, Dmitri | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hvorostovsky, Dmitri | ( H ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Moscow Nights Kalinka: Russian Folk Songs I Met You, My Love Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Passione di Napoli Songs of Love and Desire ASIN: B00000418A Release Date: 1994-03-15

Tracks:

1. Sadko: 'Gorat kamennyj'; 'Gorat prekrasnyj'
2. Kashei The Immortal: 'Gluhaja noch'
3. Snow Maiden: 'Na t'oplam sinem more'
4. The Tsar's Bride: 'S uma nejdot krasvitsa!'
5. Prince Igor: 'Ni sna, ni otdyha izmuchennaj dushe'
6. The Demon: 'Ne plach dit'a'
7. The Demon: 'Na vazdushnam akeane'
8. The Demon: 'Ja tot, katoramu vnimala'
9. The Demon - Nero: ''Paju tebe, Boh Gimenej!'
10. Aleko: 'Ves' tabar spit'
11. Songs And Dances Of Death: Lulluaby
12. Songs And Dances Of Death: Serenade
13. Songs And Dances Of Death: 'Trepak'
14. Songs And Dances Of Death: The Field Marshal

Amazon.com essential recording

Mussorgsky's four songs known collectively as Songs and Dances of Death make up 20 minutes of the most intense storytelling in 19th-century song. At first, Hvorostovsky's voice seems almost too beautiful, his sound almost too youthful to fill out these narratives, but his concentration and breath control are so sensational that we realize what he's up to. He's spinning us seductively into the spooky world of these songs, where Death converses in turn with the mother of a dying child, a young girl, an old peasant, and dying soldiers; Hvorostovsky nicely changes his tone for each song. The rest of the CD is equally fine, with two arias from Anton Rubinstein's The Demon particularly compelling. Quite an adventure! --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

ravishing !.......2003-04-27

Out of my ever growing (15 recordings so far) Dmitri collection, this is one of the best, a cream of the crop CD, with a terrific selection of music, and the fabulous Siberian at his most intense and dramatic.
Recorded 9 years ago when he was 31, it is one of his earliest CDs, but from the start (listen to his amazing "Russian Romances" !), he sang with incredible maturity and vocal richness.

Valery Gergiev and the Kirov Orchestra provide perfect backing, with a good balance between orchestra and singer, lovely and lyrical for the melodious Tsar's Bride aria (my current favorite track), and with plenty of dazzle and muscle for the Moussorgsky pieces.
This is one of those CDs (and both Dmitri and Gergiev have a few of them), that captures the heart and soul of Russian music.

Russia's Best!.......2002-10-29

This is by far the most breathtaking interpretation of the Songs and Dances of Death by Mussorgsky you will ever hear! I have seen Hvorostovsky in concert twice and always yearn for more. His voice is just as incredible live. Every single aria on this disc is a jewell. You can feel the pathos and the agony of the Demon, the heartwrenching jelousy of Aleko, and the joyous abandonment of the singer in Nero. Hvorostovsky's voice is just as outstanding as Ghiurov's in his prime.
The choice of repertoire and Dmitri's interpretation makes this CD a must for those wishing to explore Russian opera. His impressive range allows him to sing at ease in both the baritone and bass tessitura. He will no doubt make an exciting Scarpia and an unforgettable Mephistophele (both Gounod's and Boito's)someday. I hope he considers these roles in the future!

The best russian performer.......2002-05-10

I want to say this: Dmitri is the best baritone in our days, but he is the best russian performer ever lived. You can hear all the fellings the song expresses, a beatiful, coloured voice with a magnificent sound. He is simply superb. The orchestra and the conductor are correct. Again, Dmitri is the most important presence in this Cd.

Dmitri at his darkest and most compelling.......2001-10-12

I couldn't agree more with Robert Levine and Stephen Ettinger's most informative reviews. Prior to purchasing this CD, I had read elsewhere that Hvorostovsky's upper register was in trouble on this album. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Having now heard the album I can happily report that Dmitri's upper, middle AND lower registers are perfectly equalized, and I strongly urge any doubting critics to retire gracefully. For this is a magnificent album from one of the most exciting baritones of the last 25 years. It ranks alongside Hvorostovsky's CD of the Sviridov song cycle, Russia Cast Adrift, as a celebration of sheer individualism in singing. Both albums display the hallmarks of this wonderful singer - the dark and intensely concentrated sound, the extraordinary breath control and superb attention to the phrasing. Just 31 when he recorded the present CD, Hvorostovsky brings such insight to his singing that he puts most of his contemporaries to shame. This album demonstrates everything that great singing should be: dazzling vocalism combined with innate feeling for the words.

Always at his best in the Russian repertoire, Hvorostovsky has chosen this programme wisely. He covers a wide range of moods, starting out with the joyous Venetian's Song from Rimsky-Korsakov's Sadko, and moving through some highly melodic works from Borodin and Rubinstein before arriving at Rachmaninov's darkly compelling Ves' Tabar Spit from the opera Aleko. For the latter he employs a more sombre style than the lustier approach favoured by, say, Ghiaurov, but this sets the scene well for the Songs and Dances of Death that follow.

These are the showpieces of the album, and I have never heard them more memorably performed. The variety of colours in Hvorostovsky's voice are a revelation, but what makes these songs stand out is the way he manages to convey so many different characters and moods. I loved the humour of his drunken peasant in the Trepak, and at the same time was thrilled by the terrifying power of his Field Marshall in the final song. These are truly astonishing performances.

As always, Hvorostovsky is provided with great support from conductor Valery Gergiev, and the sound quality is remarkably warm and vibrant. An unforgettable release and a must-have for anyone who loves great singing.

Breathtaking!.......1999-11-24

This is my favorite Dmitri Hvorostovsky CD. Not only he included the famous Russian opera arias for baritone, but he also added the magnificent "Songs and Dances of Death" by Modeste Mussorgsky brilliantly arranged for orchestra by Dmitri Shostakovich. Originally, Mussorgsky composed this terrifying masterpiece for different voices singing each piece, i.e. one for bass, one for tenor, one for contralto. Shostakovich decided to arrange it for orchestra for the Prima Donna of Bolshoi and his good friend Galina Vishnevskaya. He also made the pieces grimmer, so to speak, with his booming rhythmic percussion and "ticking clock" strings. In her book, Galina Vishnevskaya contrasts Shostakovich's terror of death to Mussorgsky's faithful acceptance of it.

Hearing Dmitri sing "Songs and Dances" in his baritone key is somewhat of a revelation. Not having the benefit of soprano's flying vocal pyrotechnics, Dmitri chose to put all the terror he could muster in his singing. On "Trepak" he resorts to folk song's vivacity and in "Field Marchall" he sings the voice of Death with suffocating anger towards the living. The "Serenade" sparkles with warm seductive sound and "Lullaby" sounds as it is sang by two different voices. It is indeed spine-chilling.

The rest of the album is just as impressive. The Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin selections are a part of Russian traditional baritone repertoire; Hvoristovsky approaches them with utmost seriousness and dedication. The Rubinstein and Rachmaninov arias are rare, the ones from "Demon" and "Aleko" used to be sang by basses or bass/baritones, for example Nicolai Ghiaurov and George London. But Dmitri is able to hit the low notes just fine, thereby fending off some critic's preposterous remarks about his lower range. Actually he manages to sound like a lyric basso, which is quite an accomplishment. And the breath control on "Na Vozdushnom Okeane" is nothing short of remarkable. Valery Gergiev brings his trademark intensity and imaginative reading to the music and the Kirov Orchestra is in top shape. Somehow I think that transposing the Mussorgsky selections for the baritone was his idea. Btw, Dmitri's singing idol, the great Fyodor Chaliapin recorded only "Trepak" out of the whole song cycle. Thus Dmitri's is, in a sense, finishing what Chaliapin had started. As always, the Philips sound is wonderful and spacious. The booklet is informative, but a serious listener may want to do some more research. Personally I longed for Cyrillic texts, but the translations are pretty accurate, so that those unfamiliar with Russian could get an overall understanding, which is absolutely essential for this fascinating material.

Average customer rating: A good choice for a classical music library Gran Seleccion Excellent Recordings of Rimsky-Korsakov's Best Music A little stiff, but with some great aspects Best

Rimsky-Korsakov: Great Orchestral Works Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade for orchestra Op35; Russian Easter Festival Overture Op36 Rimsky-Korsakov: Suites Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Capriccio Espagnol Dvorák: The Symphonies Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture ASIN: B0000041AO Release Date: 1995-02-21

Tracks:

1. Capricio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada -
2. Capricio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni -
3. Capricio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada
4. Capricio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena en canto gitano
5. Capricio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano
6. May Night: May Night - Overture
7. Sadko, Op. 5: Sadko, Op. 5 - Musical Picture
8. The Snow Maiden (Suite): 1. Introduction
9. The Snow Maiden (Suite): 2. Danse des oiseaux
10. The Snow Maiden (Suite): 3. Cortege
11. The Snow Maiden (Suite): 4. Danse des bouffons
12. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: 1. Tsar's Farewell And Departure
13. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: 2. Tsarina In A Barrel At Sea
14. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: 3. Flight Of The Bumble-Bee
15. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: 4. The Three Wonders

Tracks:

1. The Golden Cockerel - Suite: 1. Tsar Dodon In His Palace
2. The Golden Cockerel - Suite: 2. Tsar Dodon On Campaign
3. The Golden Cockerel - Suite: 3. Tsar Dodon As Guest Of The Queen Of Shemakha
4. The Golden Cockerel - Suite: 4. The Wedding And Lamentable End Of Dodon
5. Symphony No. 2, Op. 9 Antar: 1. Largo - Allegro giocoso - Adagio - Largo - (Tempo I) - Alegretto vivace - Adagio - Allegretto vivace - Largo (Tempo I)
6. Symphony No. 2, Op. 9 Antar: 2. Allegro - Molto allegro - Meno mosso, allargando - Allegro (Tempo I)
7. Symphony No. 2, Op. 9 Antar: 3. Allegro risoluto alla marcia
8. Symphony No. 2, Op. 9 Antar: 4. Allegretto vivace - Andante amoroso - Animato assai - Tempo I
9. Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36

Amazon.com

Rimsky-Korsakov is universally acknowledged as a great master of the orchestra. He even wrote a textbook on the subject consisting entirely of examples from his own music! He needed some sort of pictorial or literary stimulus to really get his imagination going, however. His "abstract pieces," like Symphonies No. 1 and 3, are comparative failures specifically because he believed that symphonic thought was incompatible with orchestral brilliance (he wasn't the only Romantic composer to succumb to that fallacy). So all of his best music is either obviously illustrative, or taken from one of his colorful "fairy tale" operas. This two-disc set gives you an excellent selection of works of both types at a great price. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A good choice for a classical music library.......2007-01-21

An excellent selection of Rimsky-Korsakov's works, faultlessly performed and recorded.

Gran Seleccion.......2004-12-10

De Rimsky-Korsakov escuchar el Capricho espagnol, la obertura para la Pascua Rusa, el vuelo del moscardon y otras de sus obras son cosa de todo los dias, pero unir a ellos la sinfonia Nº2 Antar, la bellisima Dama de las nieves, la exquisita Sadko o la sublime Noche de Mayo es genial y todos en un Cd grandioso.
Son interpretaciones geniales con espiritu ruso, con animo universal, con fuerza con sublimidad con fervor si se quiere y de esplendida forma, la Sinfonica de Rotterdam suena genial y David Zimann se esmera en asombrarnos con obras comunes y otras no tanto, que lograran nuestra grata atencion.
Donde disminuye el puntaje y el gran logro de Zimann como siempre es en las comparaciones, el capricho español mas notable y recomendado es el de Ormandy, al igual que la Gran Pascua Rusa (de la que Järvi tambien tiene una gran version), para la Sinfonia Antar nadie mejor que Evgevni Svetlanov con la Orquesta del Estado Ruso.
De lo demas una gran coleccion en un CD de coleccion.

Excellent Recordings of Rimsky-Korsakov's Best Music.......2004-05-26

This two-CD set contains excellent recordings of Rimsky-Korsakov's best orchestral works (aside from Scheherazade, which they assume you already have) in demonstration-quality digital sound. The Cappricio Espagnole is probably the best recording I've ever heard of this work, with perfect tempos and a colorful orchestral pallette. The sound quality here is really outstanding. The May Night Overture and Sadko are done very well--exciting and colorful--and the Snow Maiden excerps are very well played. The Tsar Sultan Suite is very menacing and atmospheric--Zinman's conducting is flawless. The Golden Cockrel is very exotic and colorful, with just the right tempos(unlike Jarvi) and superb sound. The Antar is a very fine performance, if not the best one out there(try Kees Bakel and Malaysian PO). Although I understand what the customer who said it's the worse performance ever didn't like, I still respectfully disagree. Although Zinman does rush through the second and third movements, they still sound exciting and the Rotterdam Philharmonic are in top form throughout. The outer movements fare much better. The Russian Eater Overture is one of the best out there, probably second only to Spano/Atlanta(better than Zinman's Baltimore performance). Overall, this CD set is a must own for those looking for great performances of RK's best orchestral music.

A little stiff, but with some great aspects.......2001-03-28

The interpretations are a bit thick, and the conducting is a little distasteful. Its one of the worst performances of Antar I've ever heard. The third movement is moved so quickly and without any sense of majesty, and the second movement gives no sense of anticipation -- there's no buildup or satisfying apex. Overall, I think it is performed here as an ordinary symphony, ignoring the fact that Antar is actually a series of tone poems.

A few other disappointments, like a meandering "Sadko" and a few surprisingly tepid portions of "The Tsar Sultan."

I do think, however, that Capriccio Espagnol is performed very well, with great attention spent on percussion (great percussion pervails throughout both discs). The Russian Easter Overture is played with careful attention to its cultural origins and rates among the better performances I've heard. And Le Coq D'Or is overall pretty decent.

I would recommend this one to anyone who isn't offended by lukewarm performances of Rimsky, and is who is just looking for a collection of his orchestral works for less-involved purposes.

Best.......1999-02-18

It is basically the only cd pack that I am happy with that features Rimsky-Korsakov's suites on.

Average customer rating: Really Nice Collection Beautiful and exotic

Caravan: The Ultimate Silk Road Album Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music San Francisco Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Ippolitov-Ivanov: Caucasian Sketches; Turkish March and Fragments Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor The Silk Road: A Musical Caravan Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon ASIN: B000069HKV Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

1. In The Steppes Of Central Asia - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
2. Caucasian Sketches Suite No.1, Op.10: In The Village - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
3. Caucasian Sketches Suite No.1, Op.10: Procession Of The Sardar - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
4. Khovanshchina: Dances Of The Persian Slaves - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
5. Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances With Chorus - Neeme Jarvi
6. Gayne: Sabre Dance - London Symphony Orchestra
7. Gayne: Dance Of The Kurds - London Symphony Orchestra
8. Aladdin Suite, FS 89: The Marketplace In Ispahan - Herbert Blomstedt
9. Scheherazade, Op.35: Tale Of Prince Kalendar - Michel Schwalbe
10. Islamey (Oriental Fantasy) - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
11. Sadko: Song Of India - Kingsway Symphony Chorus & Orchestra
12. The Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a: Danse Arabe - Berlin Philharmonic
13. The Ruins Of Athens, Op.113: Turkish March - Berlin Philharmonic

Customer Reviews:

Really Nice Collection.......2004-08-17

Good Recordings and Perfomances

Alwasy in our CD palyer

Beautiful and exotic.......2004-01-24

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not extremely knowledgeable about classical music; I just know what I enjoy listening to and this is one of my favorites when I'm the mood for something a little bit "exotic" sounding. A lot of the composers are Russian and the music has the flavor of the East. "In the Steppes of Central Asia" is particularly lovely.

Average customer rating: Great mix of music though OK performance Wow.. Colorful, Romantic, Dramatic, and Consistently Musical ! absolute magic

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade for orchestra Op35; Russian Easter Festival Overture Op36 Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Rimsky-Korsakov: Great Orchestral Works Manuel de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain / Isaac Albeniz: Rapsodia Espanola / Joaquin Turina: Rapsodia Sinfonica - Alicia de Larrocha / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos Khachaturian: Spartacus / Khachaturian, Vienna Philharmonic Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor ASIN: B000004241 Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

1. Scheherazade: The Sea And Sinbad's Ship - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
2. Scheherazade: The Story Of The Kalandar Prince - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
3. Scheherazade: The Young Prince And The Young Princess - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
4. Scheherazade: Festival At Baghdad - The Sea - Shipwreck - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
5. May Night: Overture - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
6. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan, Suite, Op.57: I. The Tsar's Departure And Farewell - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
7. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan, Suite, Op.57: II. The Tsarina And Her Son Afloat In The Cask - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
8. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan, Suite, Op.57: III. The Three Wonders - N. Rimsky-Korsakov
9. The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: The Flight Of The Bumblebee - N. Rimsky-Korsakov

Tracks:

1. Russian Easter Festival: Overture, Op.36 - Rimsky-Korsakov
2. Christmas Eve Suite - Rimsky-Korsakov
3. Dubinushka, Op.62 - Rimsky-Korsakov
4. Sadko, Musical Picture, Op.5 - Rimsky-Korsakov
5. The Snow Maiden Suite: Introduction- Danse des oiseaux- Cortege- Danse des bouffons - Rimsky-Korsakov

Customer Reviews:

Great mix of music though OK performance.......2007-02-07

Rimsky - Korsakov is one of the greats of Russian music who composed works for multiple genres such as ballets, operas, symphonies, overtures, concertos, etc. This two-disc set provides a good compilation of many of these works without resorting to the common method of taking 3 - 4 minute samples from multiple works that embody the most famous tunes from said works. Instead, the album includes multiple works in whole such as Scheherazade, the Tale of Tsar Saltan, Snow Maiden Suite, and The Russian Easter Festival Overture. The result is two discs with over an hour of music per disc. However, many of the works are quite unknown, and can require some patience to listen through and appreciate.

The orchestration and sound quality is only alright. For example, this album's performance of the Russian Easter Festival Overture was sub-par compared to what I have heard in other albums. Overall, a good buy, but not a great buy.

Wow.........2006-04-28

Quite possibly one of the worst Scheherazade's I have ever heard from a "professional" orchestra. There is some REALLY BAD playing on here. I still can't believe that a recording would be put out where the playing can sound completely incompetent at times. I really don't understand that. This is NOT a good recording!! Just the fact that there are so many noticeable mistakes proves that. If you are a musician, this should bother you and make you wince.

Do yourself a favor and buy a different recording, either Bernstein with New York, Temirkanov with New York, or Maazel with Cleveland, or Concertgebouw or Philly. Any other recording will definitely be of better quality.

Colorful, Romantic, Dramatic, and Consistently Musical !.......2004-03-09

In the past, I have enjoyed other Scheherazades, most notably those by Ormandy, Reiner, Monteux, Stokowski, Kondrashin and Beecham, especially the latter two. I must now include this marvelous Ansermet after re-acquainting myself with his performance after many years of neglect. While the Suisse Romande Orchestra has never been seen as having quite matched the reputations of the Philadelphia, Chicago Symphony and Concertgebouw Orchestras, it performs so magically and musically here that it seems to transport one on the proverbial flying carpet to exotic lands. Tones are rounded, sweet and golden, yet there is no slighting of drama. As conductor, Ansermet is in no hurry to impress with an eye and ear to sheer virtuosity. He proceeds with an easy flowing, characterful, sensuous style. I haven't heard many more satisfyingly rendered first movements than his. But the same holds true for the other three as well, especially the gorgeously fragrant third movement ( "The Young Prince and the Young Princess" ). Throughout the Ansermet/Suisse Romande performance there is a wonderful songfulness and a pleasing exotic ambiance. In many places, instrumental sounds simply glow....Virtually everything else on these discs is also a delicious treat, especially since such brightly varied pieces as Tale of the Tsar Saltan, The Christmas Eve Suite and The Snow Maiden have never been well represented in recordings, though I have enjoyed for some time Svetlanov's Tsar Saltan. All these works of Rimsky-Korsakov reveal one of the finest examples of a composer who possessed the wonderful ability to create splendid color and captivating tunefulness. And, I think, there were few other conductors who had Ernest Ansermet's talent to project these appealing delights with such endearing and satisfying musical expression.

absolute magic.......2000-09-21

This should be an essential part of any Russian music lover's library. Ansermet had a particular affinity with this repertoire, and the very distinctive sound of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande make this a very endearing and memorable release. It's a paradox, but though Rimsky's orchestral pallette is opulent and technicolour in the extreme, it is not particularly lush in the R.Straussian sense - the timbres separate, and the clarity of the texturing in these OSR performances make every subtlety of the orchestration apparent: listen to the different ways Rimsky scores the same E major chord in the first movement of 'Scheherazade' - on this recording every register change tells.

Rimsky's warhorses get affectionate and detailed readings, but the main attractions here are the slightly off-beat repertoire. The suite from 'Christmas Eve', with its night flight through a ballet of stars, a witches sabbath and an imperial Polonaise: concluding with a koliadka (Ukrainian carol) and sunrise is a wonder: this is music of great breadth and childlike wonder which is unforgettable, here given a faultless performance. It is a shame the sections in this suite are not cued, however. The symphonic poem 'Sadko' is well done- the suite from 'Tsar Saltan' with its memorably titled second movement 'The Tsarina in a barrel at sea' is another classic, and Ansermet paces the discursive and sectional final movement 'The Three Wonders' very well: the portrait of the Swan Princess 'whose beauty is so great and who by night illuminates the earth' is mesmerizing. Two little quibbles: the vocal portions of the 'Snow Maiden' suite are not very pleasant and the 'Flight of the Bumblebee' is a mite arthritic, but this are incidental indeed. Enjoy this wonderfully vivid anthology: it's like a favourite book from childhood recreated in aural terms.

Average customer rating:

The Very Best of Boris Christoff Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Samuel Ramey - Operatic Arias The Very Best of José Van Dam The Very Best of Tito Gobbi The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli The Very Best of Jon Vickers ASIN: B0006VYEIC Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Skorbit Dusha!
2. Yeshcho Odno Poslyedneye Skazanye
3. Nye Syetuy, Brat
4. Kak Vo Gorode Bylo Vo Kazane
5. Dostig Ya vyshey Vlasti
6. Uf! Tyazhelo!
7. Prosnulsa Ya... Oh/Dushno!
8. Zvon! Pogrebal Ny Zvon!
9. Nateshilsya Li Knyaz?
10. O Net, Net, Drug
11. U Lyudey-To V Domu'
12. dlya Beregov Otchizni Dal'Noy
13. Song Of The Viking Guest
14. Prince Yuri's Aria
15. Prince Gremin's Aria
16. Song Of The Volga boatmen
17. Mephistopheles' Song Of The Flea

Tracks:

1. Le Veau D'or Est Toujours Debout
2. Siegneur, Daignex Permettre
3. Qu'Attendez-Vous Encore?... Vous Qui Faites L'Endormie
4. Decidesti Il Suo Destin... Con Le Mie Guardie... O Tu La Cosa Mia Piu Cara
5. Uldino! Non Hai Veduto?... Mentre Gonfiarsi L'anima
6. Ella Giammai M'Amo!
7. Son Lo Spirito Che Nega
8. Berceuse, Op.16 No.1
9. None But The Lonely Heart, Op.6 No.6
10. Along The Petersky
11. I. With Nanny
12. II. In The Corner
13. III. The Beetle
14. IV. With The Doll
15. V. At Bedtime
16. I. Trepak
17. IV. The Field-Marshal

Average customer rating: pretty good

Best Of Rimsky-Korsakov Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Best Of Stravinsky Best of Prokofiev The Best of Grieg The Best of Haydn Best of Schubert ASIN: B0000014HP Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

1. Capriccio esagnol, op.34: Alborada -Vivo e strepitoso
2. Variazioni -Andante con moto-
3. Alborada -Vivo e strepitoso-
4. Scena e canto gitano -Allegretto-
5. Fandango asturiano
6. The Young Prince and the Young Princess from Scheherazade, Op. 35
7. Flight of the Bumble-Bee from The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57
8. Symphony No. 2, Op. 9,
9. Dance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden
10. Hindu Song from Sadko
11. Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36
12. Cortege from Mlada
13. Festival at Baghdad - The Sea from Scheherazade, Op. 35

Customer Reviews:

pretty good.......2005-09-07

much of the tracks are very common and available on other collections, however, Russion Easter is not very easy to find. valuable addition to my collection

Average customer rating: outstanding Static but sumptuous - Sadko casts a spell

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tsar's Bride Modest Moussorgsky: Khovanshchina Rimsky-Korsakov: Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh Glinka: Ruslan And Lyudmila Alexander Borodin: Prince Igor ASIN: B00000418U Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

1. Sadko: Introduction
2. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 1: Sabralis'a my, gosti targovye
3. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 1: Strunku k strunachke ty nat'agivaj - Prasvet'a svetel mes'ats na nebe
4. Sadko: Budit krasen den'v palavinu dn'a
5. Sadko: Kaby byla un min'a zalata kazna
6. Sadko: Goj, ty, Sat-Satko, dobryj moladets
7. Sadko: V Novegorade velikam
8. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 2: Oj ty, t'omnaja dubravushka!
9. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 2: A-a-a. - Vyhadite, vy, is sin'a ozera
10. Sadko: Zaigrajte, mai gusel'ki
11. Sadko: Svet'at rasoju medv'anaju kosy tvai
12. Sadko: Mes'ats zalatyje roshki

Tracks:

1. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 3: Fs'u noch zhdala jevo ja panaprasnu
2. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 3: Ali v'jaf' sa mnoj diva sadejalas
3. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: Pasmatrite ka, l'udi vol'nyje
4. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: Paklon vam, gosti imenityje!
5. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: Kak na ozere na Il'mene
6. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: A skaly groznyje drab'atsa s r'ovem volny
7. Sadko: Ni sh'est' almazaf f kamnnyh pisherah
8. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: Gorat kamennyj, garadam fsem mat'
9. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: A i v Vedenets slavnyj put'ty derzhy
10. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 4: Vysata li, vysata li padnebesnaja

Tracks:

1. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 5: Ush kak po mor'u, mor'u sinemu
2. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 5: Goj, druzhyna vernaja, padnachal'naja!
3. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 5: Nikak pajut?
4. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 6: Glup' glubokaja, Akian more
5. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 6: Sineje more grozna, shiroka
6. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 6: Nu, garast, Satko, ty pet'igrat?
7. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 6: Paigraj va gusli zvonkije
8. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 6: Slaven, groznyj Tsar' Marskoj
9. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 6: Aj, ne f poru raspl'asals'a
10. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 7: Introduction - Moladets moj
11. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 7: Son pa bereshku hadil
12. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 7: Oh, toshna mne, tashn'ohan'ko
13. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 7: A i zdrastvuj zhe ty, moj zhetannyj mush
14. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 7: F staranah gul'al ja dal'nih
15. Sadko: Tableau - Bild 7: Slava starchish'u

Amazon.com

Sadko is a shimmering fairy tale of an opera, featuring Rimsky-Korsakov's gift for tone-painting and orchestral coloring at its most splendidly developed, with many lovely tunes to beguile the ear. This live recording suffers at times from thumpings occasioned by the staging, and from a few rough patches in the choral work, but it gains from the Kirov's legendary ensemble work. The huge and able cast is headed by Vladimir Galusin's heldentenorish Sadko, a troubadour who becomes the richest man in Novgorod; and by soprano Valentina Tsidipova's beguiling Volkhova, the Sea-King's daughter. This is opera as storytelling and escape, and very pleasant storytelling it is. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

outstanding .......2005-12-23

There is a highlights production by Philips by Gergiev. I guess the footage presented here is originating from this cd. Outstanding. It is clear Moessorgsky and Rimsky were friends and or enemies.

Static but sumptuous - Sadko casts a spell.......1999-07-09

You can really smell the sea in this opera - the simple evocation of the rocking sea that opens the opera weaves itself into every corner of the score. Don't expect a well made opera a la Puccini, instead it's a leisurely series of tableaux recounting the adventures of Sadko, a musician turned merchant who finds himself on the bottom of the sea. The second and sixth scenes are probably the high spots, the Sea Princess and her watery cohorts are given some gorgeously florid music, but the market scene runs it close, with its songs of three travelling merchants - including the famous Hindu Song. Unfortunately that is one disappointment on this recording, Gegam Gregoriam has neither the line or control to make this old chestnut suitably hypnotic. However the lead performers, Vladimir Galusin (a tireless Sadko) and Valentina Tsidipova (an alluring Sea-Princess) are very appealing - and the rest of the cast is very strong indeed. Gergiev is excellent at pacing this score, which can seem repetitive in lesser hands. Recording quality is perhaps not the best, and there is a fair amount of stage noise, particularly in the more folksy crowd scenes, but Rimsky's vision of a fantastical old Russia and the full spectrum of his technicolour score comes through unimpaired. I play this set a great deal and highly recommend it.

Average customer rating: Good sampler of the master's music Rare Rimsky Extravaganza! Great Recordings of Rare Rimsky-Korsakov Gems! An unbelievable musical treasure Rare CD, must-have for R-K collectors

The Spirit of Russia: Music by Rimsky-Korsakov Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Romantic Piano Concerto, Volume 4 Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture ASIN: B000001K3R Release Date: 1994-10-14

Tracks:

1. Prelude
2. Bridal Procession
3. The Battle Of Kershenetz
4. Apotheosis Of Fevronia
5. Introduction
6. Redowa
7. Lithuanian Dance
8. Indian Dance
9. Cortege
10. May Night
11. Christmas Eve

Tracks:

1. Overture On Russian Themes
2. Skazka (Fairy Tale)
3. Sadko (A Musical Picture)
4. Piano Concerto
5. Concert Fantasy

Customer Reviews:

Good sampler of the master's music.......2006-12-14

Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most influential Russian composers. Part of the Mighty - Five, he composed numerous works inspired by folk music of various Russian and East European nationalities. Many of them were made to accompany ballets, plays and famous Russian stories. This two-disc set contains excerpts from many of his lesser-known pieces. So there is nothing from Scheherezade or his symphonies. Instead we have music from Mlada, Sadko, and other pieces unknown to all except the die-hard Russian fans. All the music on both discs are orchestral, and exemplify the Russian Romantic style of evocative and emotional melodies.

Of the two discs, I prefer the first, as it contains more, shorter, self-contained pieces. The second disc contains only longer works. The orchestration is fine. Both discs are over an hour long, so this set is a great buy for its price. Note that the cover picture can differ, the set I bought was from Virgin Records and has a totally different cover than the one shown here on Amazon.

Rare Rimsky Extravaganza!.......2005-12-19

With the classical music market flooded in excerpt reissues, this 2 CD set is a welcome budget addition for any romantic period collection. The varied selections are drawn from the 1972-1978,VOX output and are decently remastered. Rimsky-Korsakov composed 16 known operas and it was his custom to make
orchestral suites for them. The three in this set are typical of the composer's fantasies. All his life he loved fairy-tales,
nature, and folklore. He used colorful and bizarre tales for his operas, and wrote colorful and brilliant music to set them off. Each of the three included here feature an introduction,
some lovely themes and some exotic effects. "Christmas Eve" is evocative but it's storyline is based on paganism. Each suite is just right and dosen't outlast it's welcome.
The overture to "May Night" is cut from the same mold. The "Overture On Russian Themes" utilizes the same melody in Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" representing the Russian forces.
"Shazka"(Legend)is another fairy-tale based on a prologue by Pushkin. The enchanting score for "Sadko, a Musical Picture" preceded the opera by the same name by thirty years. With all Rimsky's descriptive orchestral music, we forget he composed symphonies and concertos.

Rimsky-Korsakov's short(under 12 mins.)Piano Concerto was probably inspired by his teacher Balakirev, is characteristic of Liszt's one movement form. It's themematic development is unmistakably Russian. In developing his violin writing skills he composed the "Concert Fantasy" based on Spanish themes. It prepared him well for the later "Capriccio espagnol".

The various artists all perform well but one wishes for even more updated sound; hence my reservation for a fifth star. Detailed liner notes are included.

Great Recordings of Rare Rimsky-Korsakov Gems!.......2005-12-11

This 2-CD set contains wonderful performances of some really great music of Rimsky-Korsakov which, unfortunately, has not achieved the popularity of works like Scheherezade and Capriccio
Espagnole. The Invisible City Suite is truly magical: colorful, imaginative music that transports you to a sound-world that is quite different from most classical works. The performance is very good, with very solid sound and accoustics. The Mlada Suite is another colorful Russian showpiece that Rimsky-Korsakov excelled at. An excellent performance too. The May Night Overture gets a brisk, propulsive performance that makes it really enjoyable to listen to. The first CD ends with the rare Christmas Eve Suite No. 2, and what a delight it is! It starts out slow, with an exotic theme that is jovial and intriguing and develops into a number of exciting climaxes, and it is very well-played.
The second CD starts with the marvelous Overture on Russian Themes, which contains at least one theme you're sure to recognize (it's also in the 1812 Overture). A really smashing performance. Next is the rare Skazka/Fairy Tale, sometimes called Baba Yaga. It starts out menacing and contains both lyrical and dramatic themes, which is to be expected, as it is a tone poem that tells a story. The performance is first-rate, though it sounds like there's some background noise going on at times. Next is Sadko, given a fast, exciting performance, though I prefer the Zinman/Rotterdam one. The Piano Concerto comes next, and what a find this is! It sounds just like Rachmaninov at times. It is given a faster-than-usual performance here, which is just what it needs. This rare concerto is so enjoyable that you will wish it would go on longer than its 12 minutes and wish it were performed more often. The set ends with the Concert Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra, which is another gem that is extremely satisfying, featuring a great performance by the violinist, orchestra and conductor, as well as great sound balancing and accoustics.
If you get this set together with the Zinman/Rotterdam collection of RK's orchestral works on Phillips
as well as a good performance of Scheherazade (I'd recommend the Spano/Atlanta performance among modern ones or the Karajan/Berlin one among stereo recordings), you'll have almost all of the best music by Rimsky-Kosakov at a really low price.
Do not be put off by the fact that this CD-set features orchestras and conductors that you've probably never heard of, or by the fact that you won't find any reviews by the the standard professional musical critics. You get two CDs filled with great music at a budget price, and the performances are first-rate throughout. It is worth every penny and a whole lot more! I cannot recommend this more strongly!

An unbelievable musical treasure.......2004-07-02

Consider the low prize of this set you'll be rewarde for a long time .
The invisible city is well played , the piano concert is warmth and powerful and the violin concert is much more than a simply promised land . You'll be surprised about the musical richness of Nikolai Rimski Korsakov.

Rare CD, must-have for R-K collectors.......2004-05-14

This is cheap set, but at least two performances makes it best of all existing ; the Sadko with Katims and Seattle SO is the ultimate performance, far best of all - I heard all, with Svetlanov, Serov, and more, and Katims is high over all. I do not undertand it, because nor the orchestra, nor conductor, are of top quality - but really, they did great job. One more piece is quite unknown (but very good) Rimsky-Korsakov piano concerto. This performance is quite faster and more fercious than other exsting, and I think it is fater than it should be (according to music sheet), but still, it has value as rare performance.

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6. The Great Opera Composers
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