Rimsky-Korsakov: May Night

May Night (Mayskaya noch'), comic opera in 3 acts
Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
with Yuri Yelnikov
Conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev

Rimsky-Korsakov: May Night,Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov,Vladimir Fedoseyev,Yuri Yelnikov,Relief,Classical,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio,Russian Romantic Opera

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

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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:

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

Tracks:

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

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade for orchestra Op35; Russian Easter Festival Overture Op36

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

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The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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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:

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

Tracks:

Russian Easter Festival: Overture, Op.36 - Rimsky-Korsakov
Christmas Eve Suite - Rimsky-Korsakov
Dubinushka, Op.62 - Rimsky-Korsakov
Sadko, Musical Picture, Op.5 - Rimsky-Korsakov
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.

Tracks:

Rider's March
Troika
Little Field
When The Soldiers Sing
Nightingales
Dark Eyes
Kossack's Song
Let's Drink!
Song Of The Volga Boat Men
Russian Song
Kalinka
Farewell Song
Escamillo Couplets
Dear Soul
Ukrainian Folk Song
Moscow Nights
May Nights
I Got Plenty Of Nothing
Granada
National Anthem Of The USSR

The Spirit of Russia: Music by Rimsky-Korsakov

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

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Romantic Piano Concerto, Volume 4
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture

ASIN: B000001K3R
Release Date: 1994-10-14

Tracks:

Prelude
Bridal Procession
The Battle Of Kershenetz
Apotheosis Of Fevronia
Introduction
Redowa
Lithuanian Dance
Indian Dance
Cortege
May Night
Christmas Eve

Tracks:

Overture On Russian Themes
Skazka (Fairy Tale)
Sadko (A Musical Picture)
Piano Concerto
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.

Average customer rating:

Little known but wonderful
Rare Rimsky-Korsakov well done.
A great collection for Rimsky fans. (And if you're not a fan, you will be.)
As complete and good a collection as you're likely to find.
Excellent compilation

Rimsky-Korsakov: Suites

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Rimsky-Korsakov: The Complete Symphonies; Russian Easter Festival Overture; Capriccio Espagnol [Germany]

ASIN: B000000ACB
Release Date: 1992-04-03

Tracks:

May Night - Overture
The Snow Maiden: Beautiful Spring
The Snow Maiden: Dance Of The Birds
The Snow Maiden: The Procession Of Tsar Berendey
The Snow Maiden: Dance Of The Tumblers
Christmas Eve: Christmas Night - Ballet Of The Stars - Witches' Sabbath And Ride On The Devil's Back - Polonaise - Vakula And The Slippers

Tracks:

Mlada: Introduction
Mlada: Redowa: A Bohemian Dance
Mlada: Lithuanian Dance
Mlada: Indian Dance
Mlada: Procession Of The Nobles
The Invisible City of Kitezh: Prelude: A Hymn To Nature
The Invisible City of Kitezh: Wedding Procession
The Invisible City of Kitezh: Tartar Invasion And Battle Of Kerzhenets
The Invisible City of Kitezh: Death Of Fevroniya And Apotheosis Of The Invisible City

Tracks:

The Golden Cockerel: Introduction And Dodon's Sleep
The Golden Cockerel: King Dodon On The Battlefield
The Golden Cockerel: Queen Of Shemakha's Dance; King Dodon's Dance
The Golden Cockerel: Wedding Feast; Death Of King Dodon; Finale
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: Tsar's Departure And Farewell
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: Tsarina Adrift At Sea In A Barrel
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: The Three Wonders
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: The Flight Of The Bumble Bee

Amazon.com

Rimsky-Korsakov's operatic suites used to be standard repertoire, but like so much attractive and colorful music, it seems that recording has absolved orchestras of the need to play them live! It's a rare day that you will find such lovely works as the Christmas Eve or Snow Maiden suite in the concert hall, so by all means invest in this comprehensive collection and enjoy them at home. This was the first project in Neeme Järvi's epic collaboration with the Scottish National Orchestra, and as is so often the case in such instances, everyone really plays their collective hearts out. Even Chandos outdoes itself in providing sound of speaker-shattering impact. A great set. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Little known but wonderful.......2007-06-03

When was the last time you sat down and listened to Sheherazade? Have you ever heard it at good volume on good equipment? I thought not. So that's one thing to do. And now even better news: Rimsky-Korsakov wrote much great music in operas which have remained unknown to Western audiences. Here is a little of it in orchestral suites - good performances and sound and at a reasonable price. May it be the beginning of a delightful new journey into Russian opera!

Rare Rimsky-Korsakov well done........2006-07-19

Actually I was already familiar with some of the selections--most notably "Procession of the Nobles" from "Mlada" and "Dance of the Tumblers" from "The Snow Maiden". Thus I had a standard of quality from which I could compare the unfamiliar music.

Every piece sparkles. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is, generally, a study in elegance. Every note of these suites proves it. Frequently, when you hear music that is seldom performed, you discover WHY it isn't done. That does not apply here. I think it is a shame that I have not heard most of this music before.

Neeme Jarvi and the Scottish National Orchestra do a wonderful job performing all these suites. I whole-heartedly recommend this recording.

A great collection for Rimsky fans. (And if you're not a fan, you will be.).......2005-08-19

I have fond feelings for this collection. It was my introduction to the Chandos label and to conductor Neemi Jarvi, and I was bowled over. Since that time, recording just about every piece of music written by Western composers has apparently reduced some of Jarvi's enthusiasm, because his later recordings are often not as just-right as his Rimsky performances herein. But these performances are everything they should be. Jarvi and his Scottish orchestra stress the sparkling colors and the near-classical leanness of Rimsky's orchestrations. No Wagnerian bloat, no Brahmsian bottom-heaviness here. Rimsky seems to return to Berlioz as his orchestral paradigm, I always think.

I was immediately attracted to the Christmas Eve Suite, which I hadn't heard before; it builds to a wonderful climax in the tempo of a polonaise. Move over, Piotr I. Tchaikovsky--this music is a great change from chestnuts out of the Nutcracker (a pretty lame pun, but I'll let it stand).

However, Christmas Eve is not the only pleasure these discs provide. Jarvi offers first-rate performances of the lovely May Night, Rimsky's finest overture, as well as suites from the Golden Cockerel, the Snow Maiden, and Mlada, which contain some of Rimsky's most memorable music: the Dance of the Tumblers, the Procession of the Nobles, the Wedding Feast and Death of King Dodon. Great stuff.

And then there's Chandos' recording: incredibly clean and wide-ranging, with just the right sense of hall sound. I'm still impressed every time I listen.

As complete and good a collection as you're likely to find........2003-08-02

Over a 35-year period, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov wrote fifteen operas, all but a handful of them still in the active Russian repertoire. A few of them have even gained something of a foothold recently in the U.S., with Valery Gergiev and his Kirov Opera company performing them on tour. For those seeking orchestral works of Rimsky-Korsakov beyond Sheherazade, the Great Russian Easter Festival Overture, and, perhaps, Capriccio Espagnol and the 2nd ("Antar") Symphony, a logical place to start is with the orchestral suites he fashioned from several of his better-known operas (covering nearly half of his operatic output).

For those so interested, my first - and highest - recommendation goes to this Chandos boxed set, with Neemi Järvi conducting the Scottish National Orchestra (as it was known in 1984, when this recording was made; it is now the Royal Scottish National Orchestra). With the possible exception of some incidental music from Sadko and The Tsar's Bride, this set contains virtually all of the most popular orchestral music from Rimsky-Korsakov's better-known operas.

Over the years, Järvi has developed somewhat of a reputation for "recording everything in sight," not always with the most effective of results. But here, in what the editorial reviewer identifies as his first recording session with the SNO, he has done a splendid job all around, bringing out the often gorgeous coloristic effects of the music, with an orchestra that fully does justice to the performance requirements, and with stunning sound captured by the Chandos engineers.

Particularly noteworthy are the suite from Mlada (with its dramatic "Procession of the Nobles" march), the atmspheric and magical music from The Invisible City of Kitezh, and the better-known suite from The Golden Cockerel. In all of these suites - and in the balance of the boxed set as well - Järvi and the SNO capture the orchestrational genius of Rimsky-Korsakov with perfection: brilliant brass, shimmering strings, nicely-detailed woodwind playing, as is seldom heard from all too many Russian orchestras.

This was clearly an auspicious debut album for Järvi and the SNO, an orchestra that he would direct in many recordings over the following decade or so. And, though not inexpensive, it is the single finest (and most complete) album of Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral suites from his operas that I have had the pleasure of hearing.

Recommended without reservation.

Bob Zeidler

Excellent compilation.......2000-09-07

I concur that this is an excellent set, performed exquisitely by Jarvi and the Scottish National Orchestra. The comprehensive liner notes refer to the Procession of the Nobles from the Mlada Suite as "splendid." Indeed it is, a tour de force of orchestration that has few peers. The panache with which it is performed here is a touchstone for the quality of the entire set.

Tracks:

Ov The Freeshooter
The Freeshooter-Act II Scene 2: 'How Did Sleep Come To Me...Softly, Softly, My Pure Song!'
The Queen Of Sheba-Act II, Intro: Night Piece
Das War Sehr Gut.../Dann Aber, Wie Ich Sie Gespurt Hab' Hier Im Finstern Stehn
Ov To May Night-Act III
May Night-Act III: Sleep My Beauty 'Cradle Song'
Rusalka-Act I: Song To The Moon
'Jenufa's Prayer-Jenufa-Act II: Surely This Is My Mother's Room
The Little Boots Or Oxana's Caprices-Entracte Act III, Scene 1: Christmas Eve
The Little Boots Or Oxana's Caprices-'Maria's Lullaby-Mazeppa-Act III: Sleep My Small One And Dream
The Little Boots Or Oxana's Caprices-Pique Dame-Act III: Twill Soon Be Midnight
The Little Boots Or Oxana's Caprices-Eugene Onegin-Act I: Letter Scene

Average customer rating:

An Interesting Collection of Russian Tenor Arias
Another Naxos winner.

Russian Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Russian Opera Arias 2

ASIN: B00005UO8J
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

Overture
Hermann's Arioso (Act I) I Do Not Know Her Name
Hermann's Arioso (Act I) Forgive Me, Heavenly Creature
Hermann's Arioso (Act III) What Is Our Life? A Game!
Overture
Levko's Aria (Act I) The Sun Is Low
Levko's Recitative & Song (Act III) Sleep, My Beauty
Waltz (Act II)
Lensky's Aria (Act I) I Love You, Olga
Polonaise (Act III)
Lensky's Aria (Act II, Scene 2) Where, O Where Have You Gone?
Ecossaise (Act III)
Gopak
Grit'sko's Song (Act I) Why, O Heart, Do You Sob And Groan?
Overture
Song Of The Off-Stage Singer My Heart Quivers

Customer Reviews:

An Interesting Collection of Russian Tenor Arias.......2005-09-19

When people think of the great tenors, the name Vladimir Grishko does not come as quickly to mind as say, Placido Domingo or Franco Corelli and a disc with arias from Mussorgsky's SOROCHINTSY FAIR or Rimsky Korsakov's May Night may not be as tantalizing as a disc with arias from AIDA, LA BOHEME, or FAUST. While I do not expect that this disc from Naxos will steer people away from the tried and true favorites, it will certainly show people the beauty of Russian opera. It will also introduce many people to a tenor who performs some beautiful arias from a type of opera known primarily for its great bass roles.

Two of the sets of arias are from Tchaikovsky's well known QUEEN OF SPADES and EUGENE ONEGIN. Grishko does a particularly fine job with the three arias from QUEEN OF SPADES, displaying the lyrical quality of his voice. He does a good job with the ONEGIN arias as well. Since the other operas with arias are not all that familiar to most non-Russian listeners (including me), it is hard to say whether he does an exceptional job or his interpretations are on the mark, but it is safe to assume that with the beauty of his voice, his pace and control, and overall delivery of the pieces that he does them justice as well. An added bonus to this disc are the orchestral excerpts including the well known Waltz and Polonaise from ONEGIN and the familiar Gopak from SOROCHINTSY FAIR, as well as lesser known works such as Arensky's overture to DREAM ON THE VOLGA and Rimsky Korsakov's overture to MAY NIGHT.

This disc will be a great addition to any opera recording library and fans of great tenors may discover a new rising star. Since he is young and his voice is in excellent shape, he may also be a name we hear with critical acclaim in the future.

Another Naxos winner........2002-06-06

Serious music lovers with half an ear will be aware that Russian is one of the most suitable languages for singing. They'll also be aware that not many CDs come to hand which provide opportunities to hear it. All the more welcome therefore is this issue, from the adventurous and widely-distributed Naxos label, of a collection of tenor arias and orchestral excerpts from Russian operas.

The tenor arias are allocated to Vladimir Grishko, a Ukrainian tenor whose career seems to date from several prize winning appearances he made in competitions in 1989. He enunciates beautifully, his voice is free of wobble, and the tone is free and open throughout the whole range. All the orchestral forces are Russian and the orchestral items are conducted by Theodore Kuchar, who secures wider dynamic extremes that are usually heard in the popular Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Mussorgsky items.

Tracks:

Pan Voyevoda (Suite): 1. Introduction
Pan Voyevoda (Suite): 2. Krakowiak
Pan Voyevoda (Suite): 3. Nocturne: Claire de lune
Pan Voyevoda (Suite): 4. Mazurka
Pan Voyevoda (Suite): 5. Polonaise
Musical Picture - Sadko, Op. 5
Overture On Russian Themes, Op. 28
May Night (Overture)
Boyarinya Vera Sheloga, Op. 54: Overture
Boyarinya Vera Sheloga, Op. 54: Lullaby: Bayu, bayushki, bayu

Customer Reviews:

Enchanting Music, Less-Than-Enchanting Performances.......2005-11-16

I have to agree with the other reviewer of this CD: while the disc will introduce you to some colorful and characteristic music that is a bit off the beaten Rimsky track, better performances exist, if not abound. I'm especially sorry that the performance of the Overture from "May Night"--a charming work from Rimksy's so-called classical period (which also produced the Third Symphony)--here is paced so slowly that you may nod off. The melodies are still elegant, even downright lovely, especially the wonderful tune crooned by the horns, but for an enticing performance you'll need to turn to Neeme Jarvi (Chandos).

The best thing about the disc is the inclusion of music from Pan Voyevoda and Boyarinya Vera Sheloga, rare if not altogether absent on CD. The performance of the latter music actually seems to catch Golovschin and his musicians at an inspired moment: the Overture is fleet, the Lullaby tenderly affecting.

In fact, Sadko and the Overture on Russian Themes receive quite acceptable if not cherishable performances, and the sound is pretty good for a Russian studio job. So all in all, this disc is worth getting for the music, especially at that Naxos price.

Bargain Music Occasionally Pays!.......2000-10-12

This enchanting compact-disc begins with the solumn introduction to the Pan Voyavoda suite. The introduction gradually amounts to the memorable krakowiak, followed by the nocturne, mazurka, and polonaise. The rest of this disc contains some outstanding selections of music such as the melodic Overture on Russian Themes, the popular Sadko, and the overture to May Night. Although the musical selections on this disc are extremely tasteful, some of the aspects aren't so hot. It is clearly evident that in this recording of the Pan Voyavoda suite the conducter was lax in tempo. The movements of the Pan Voyavoda suite that are traditionally performed at a moderate pace are played a little on the sluggish side in this recording. Do not be discouraged by this small factor. The performances of the other musical compositions on this disc are much more clean, making this disc well worth the purchase price. For only six bucks you can't go wrong. So if you have never heard any of these musical pieces before, I highly recommend this disc. Maybe it isn't the best recording out there, but for the price it is well worth the purchase.

Average customer rating:

A great bargain for Markevitch fans

Eternal Russia

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001GJI
Release Date: 1995-03-14

Customer Reviews:

A great bargain for Markevitch fans.......2005-09-18

This twofer is filled out with a couple of performances by Lorin Maazel, but the bulk is conducted by Igor Markevitch with his usual incisiveness and intensity. Markevitch was a better conductor before his disastrous hearing loss in the early Sixties. Even so, his great talent and individuality shine through, and the orchestral playing here is generaly better than he got from lesser orchestras, the kind he found himself conducing as he dropped form the first rank. Like Scherhcen and Horenstein, Markevitch is a cult conductor who is very much worth hearing.

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