Steppes

Track Listings

1. Bandura, Ukarainian

2. Hora Ation, Rumanian

3. There Stands a Highn Mountain/Bricks/Why Was I Born, Russian-Ukranian WWalyzs

4. Sher, No. 1, Russian

5. Nigun, Jewish

6. Kolomeike, Ukranian

7. Longing, Russian Waltz

8. Itamar Freylach, Jewish

9. Freylach No. 1. Jewish

10. Hora, Rumanian

11. Padepapn, Russian Spanish Waltz

12. Krakowiak, Polish Polka

13. Oberek-Wleszu, Polish

14. Mazurka, Russian Polish

15. Expectation, Russian Waltz

16. Araber Tantz, Jewish

17. Sher No. 2, Russian

18. Freylach No. 2, Jewish

19. Freylach No. 3, Jewish

20. Yidishe Mamme, Yeln-Pollack

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Steppes, Music, traditional, Daniel, Carey Domb, Carey Domb Daniel Domb

Best of the Red Army Choir
Average customer rating:

Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners!

Good music.

Magnificent!

I loved it!

The ultimate collection

Best of the Red Army Choir
Red Army Choir
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Soviet Army Chorus & Band

Russian Favourites

The Hunt For Red October: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Best of Communism: Revolutionary Songs

Echoes of a Red Empire

ASIN: B000066RMJ
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Kalinka
Partisan's Song
Souliko
Korobelniki
On The Road (A Soldier's Song)
My Country
The Red Army Is The Strongest
Moscow Nights
Along Peterskaia Street
Smuglianka
Troika Gallop
Ah Nastassia
Echelon's Song
My Army
Civil War Songs
Bella Ciao

Tracks:

National Anthem Of The USSR
Oh Fields, My Fields
The Cliff
The Cossacks
In The Central Steppes
Gandzia
Cossack's Song
The Roads
Song Of The Volga Boatman
Dark Eyes
Let's Go
The Birch Tree
The Road Song
The Samovars
Varchavianka
Slavery And Suffering

Customer Reviews:

Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners!.......2007-05-12

If you enjoy a good stiring martial male chorus then spend some time with these guys. They're all graduates of Soviet musical acadamies and any one of them could have graced the top opera houses of the world. You don't have to know any Russian to appreciate this CD. The songs are glorious (just don't translate them -- machine guns, death to foes, etc.), and will make you want to march on Berlin all over again.

Good music........2007-03-09

I had heard a few songs by the Red Army Choir in the past and happened upon this CD set a while back, I found it to be far better than I had hoped and would reccoment it to anyone who enjoys Russian folk music, choir in general, and cultural items from when Russia was still the Soviet Union.

Magnificent!.......2007-02-27

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this.

Spirited, committed, manly singing. Soul-shaking stuff! The ensemble is incisive; soloists are marvelous. The folk melodies are enchanting. The songs--and the singers--are bound up in the cultural fabric of the Cossacks, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky...on and on.., Chekhov, Trotsky, Nabakov... This music conveys the great romantic, dignified, boistrous soul of the Russian People. (Loosely speaking. Some members of the chorus were presumably of other nationalities once part of the Soviet Union. And some of the songs are not Russian).

I don't speak Russian, but listening to this makes me wish I did. What a beautiful-sounding language it is.

I loved it!.......2007-02-22

Even though I cannot speak Russian, the quality of this choral group is beyond excellent. Many of these pieces are extremely moving and stirring. The rendering of the Soviet anthem and the song "Let's Go" (V'put) come to my mind. "Let's Go" became a huge hit in Russia when it was featured in a movie about the Great Patriotic War, and indeed, hearing it - you can well imagine ranks upon ranks of hard-eyed, grim-faced Soviet soldiers striding into battle against the Wehrmacht.

The ultimate collection.......2004-06-15

Excellent performance by the choir and the orchestra. The grandeur, the charm, and the romance! Great collection of songs, sure to bring back memories!

Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor

Average customer rating:

An Okay Buy - Not Spectacular
Borodin...
Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
It's called the pentatonic scale
Borodin's 2nd symphony

Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72
Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture
Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
Symphonie Fantastique

ASIN: B000003F1U
Release Date: 1991-04-05

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: Allegro
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: Scherzo: Prestissimo; Allegretto
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: Andante
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: Finale: Allegro
In the Steppes of Central Asia
Prince Igor: Overture
Prince Igor: March
Prince Igor: Dance Of The Polovtsian Maidens
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances

Customer Reviews:

An Okay Buy - Not Spectacular.......2007-05-24

This CD wasn't as good as I anticipated. It had what I wanted on it, but not much more. I'm glad that I bought it, but I wasn't blown away by it.

Borodin..........2007-02-03

I did enjoy this disc. I got it at a bargain price to boot! Classical music with real musicians showing us their skills. My only complaint is that I wished that the recording was of better quality! Five stars for the music - Three stars for the disc!

Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia.......2006-11-10

This is where the music from the musical "Kismet" came from. Very Melodic and beautiful. CD arrived very timely and was pristine. Thank you.

It's called the pentatonic scale.......2006-06-22

This recording of the Borodin b minor symphony is excellent, and the colorful orchestration that entranced Debussy and his colleagues is easily heard due to the clear sound (too clear in the first movement, actually - one of the cello players sounded a little tinny to me). The first movement, with its blatantly nationalistic motto theme, is balanced with a sparkling scherzo and an andante with an achingly beautiful song-like theme. The finale, with the exuberance characteristic of Borodin and of the Mighty Five in general, is sprightly and cheerful. Its main theme is pentatonic (consisting of a five-note scale), like most music from folk sources (yes, including America, which does not mean that we "ripped" it from anywhere, simply that it is the single most pervasive system of tonal organization in the world). This recording is highly recommended, as it represents the vast majority of Borodin's orchestral output, and not badly, either.

Borodin's 2nd symphony.......2005-08-15

I played Borodin's 2nd with the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra, having never even heard of borodin before, let alone having played the symphony! I quickly fell in love with it and its wide range of themes. I particularly enjoy the 3rd movement and the way it changes from gentle sols at the beginning to a rising climax with a rising passage introduced by the violas and being built up by the orchestra.

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture/ Marche Slave

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky is at his finest
Wonderful but clearly far from the best
1812 Overture/Marche Slave
A Great Collection of Russian Composers
Incomparable

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture/ Marche Slave

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture/Capriccio Italien/Beethoven: Wellington's Victory
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
Moussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain/Pictures at an Exhibition
Wagner: Overture & Preludes
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO

ASIN: B000001GDT
Release Date: 1991-03-08

Tracks:

Ouverture Solenelle '1812' - Tchaikovsky
Marche Slave Op. 31 - Tchaikovsky
In The Steppes Of Central Asia - Borodin
Polovtsian Dances - Borodin
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra: Russian Easter Festival Overture - TCHAIKOVSKY/BORODIN/ETC
Capriccio Espagnol - TCHAIKOVSKY/BORODIN/ETC

Customer Reviews:

Tchaikovsky is at his finest .......2007-02-10

Canons resound at the climax of the story which is started by a choral. It is easy to imagine being one of Napoleon's troops advancing toward Moscow with canon balls taking out comrades on our right and left. The courage of the Russian defenders can be felt.

Wonderful but clearly far from the best.......2007-02-10

This is certainly a wonderful and worthy of being in ones collection but it simply does not stand the test to those by Ormandy and Philly, Bernstein both with the New York Phil & Israel Phil, or Chicago Symphony with either Reiner or Solti or any other conductor conducting Chicago.

1812 Overture/Marche Slave.......2005-08-04

This was very much worth the price. I have listened to it many times, but never tire of it. I would highly recommend this CD to anyone.

A Great Collection of Russian Composers.......2004-12-29

This CD is truly one of the bettar CD's containing not only Tchaikovsky, but also Borodin and Rimsky-Kosakov. The most powerful peice is hard to choose, but the quick paced, Marche Slave Op.31 is sure to draw your attention. But how could we forget the classic 1812 overture with its famous cannon barrage, and the many other terrific pieces, pointing out specifically the Capriccio espagnol op. 34. I strongly suggest this CD, as with all Deutsche Grammophon(as they are superbly recorded), I am sure any lover of the great Russian Composer's will enjoy this CD.

Incomparable.......2004-10-26

Estas grabaciones son geniales desde un principio, son obras conocidas pero que aparecen con algo adicional.
La obertura 1812 incluye el coro en una forma impresionante, cañones reales y campanas de la gran catedral de Gotemburgo, es excepcional (igual o mejor que Ormandy).
La gran Pascua rusa y el capricho español, suenan increible, una orquesta soberbia para música que debe hacernos sentir el vigor de su composición. Les estepas de Asia central es una obra pequeña en el conjunto pero necesaria para el contexto de estos compositores rusos debia estar aqui, la Marcha eslava esta casi siempre donde su hermana mayor la obertura 1812 aparece, tiene sus propios meritos como el bello motivo que la inspira en su totalidad.
Se incluye ademas las danzas polotvsianas que tienen en esta versión que presupondriamos orquestal a un solista de excepción.
Música rusa en plenitud y majestuosidad incomparable.
Neeme Järvi sencillamente grandioso.

Borodin: Polovtsian Dances/Symphony Nos.2 & 3

Average customer rating:

Great selection, not perfect execution

Borodin: Polovtsian Dances/Symphony Nos.2 & 3

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor
Borodin: Prince Igor; Symphony No2
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72

ASIN: B0000041XC
Release Date: 1991-01-18

Tracks:

Prince Igor - Overture
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor - In The Steppes Of Central Asia
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor - Allegro
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor - Scherzo (Prestissimo)
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor - Andante
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor - Finale (Allegro)
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor - Moderato assai
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor - Scherzo (Vivo)
Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor) - Dance No. 8
Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor) - Dance No. 17

Customer Reviews:

Great selection, not perfect execution.......2001-07-21

Recently, I heard many of the pieces on this disc being used as the background music for a movie that Mystery Science Theater 3000 covered ("Fire Maidens of Outer Space," MST3k episode 416). I discovered that from somewhere, I already knew and loved this music and very much wanted it. So I did a search [...], knowing that in particular I was looking to include the Polovtsian Dances No.s 8 and 17. All of the discs I found with these pieces, tended to be among compilations of composers (instead of the all-Borodin I was looking for). I found a few fantastic-seeming Borodin collections, but they were long out of print. When I discovered this particular disc and joyfully examined all the samples it contained, I knew this was what I was looking for, ordered it [...], and was pleased to receive it very promptly. My only confusion lies in something I could swear I hear throughout the disc which I couldn't -- and still can't -- hear in my laptop speakers with the downloaded samples. I could swear for the first time ever, I've heard a professional orchestra with some members who don't quite get the right note even when their instruments are prominent? I admit I am very picky about pitch, but I've never before had that problem with classical discs I've picked up. If you are not really picky about pitch, I can recommend this disc wholeheartedly, as a 5. The sound is good, and the overall dynamics are good, and if you are considering this disc you probably love the music already. If you are distracted by flatted notes and poor blending, it's probably more of a 3. But I am still very glad to have the disc.

Average customer rating:

Borodin: Prince Igor, Symphony #2
The Dances Are Not Kubelik's With The Choir!!
This Album is a Steal!!!
Borodin is worth the price
More good than bad

Borodin: Prince Igor; Symphony No2

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op35; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77
Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor

ASIN: B000000UVR
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: I. Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: II. Scherzo (Prestissimo)
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: III. Andante
Symphony No. 2 In B Minor: IV. Finale (Allegro)
Night On Bald Mountain
Khovanshchina: Dance Of The Persian Slaves
In The Steppes Of Central Asia
Prince Igor: Overture
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances

Customer Reviews:

Borodin: Prince Igor, Symphony #2.......2006-11-10

Condition received-excellent
Music-beautiful
Seller-easy to deal with
Received-Timely

The Dances Are Not Kubelik's With The Choir!!.......2005-02-28

The original LP of Kubelik's Vienna Phil. Borodin Symphony 2, also contained a masterful and exciting performance of the Polovtsian Dances with Kubelik again, conducting The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Oddly, this treasured performance of the Borodin Dances has NEVER found its' way onto a CD. When I first encountered this CD in the shop, I was led to believe I was going to get my old LP replaced with some good bonuses to boot. Though I'm delighted to have Kubelik's Vienna Borodin 2 on CD, I was really bunmmed that I got a choirless Polovtsian Dances with Steinberg and Pittsburgh instead. Owners of the original LP can and will be easily fooled here, for the back of the jewel case indicates Kubelik for The Polovtsian Dances. Only when the enclosed leaflet is read, is the error on the back of the case corrected.

This Album is a Steal!!!.......2004-08-17

Good recordings and performances of a somewhat disjointed collection (Bald Mountain is out of place and not the best perfomance of that piece). Prince Igor is without the Choir, but then, some of us just like the music and an unintelligible choir doesn't always add to the appreciatoin.

Borodin is worth the price.......2002-12-28

I purchased this album for the recording of Borodin's "Symphony # 2" - a piece that is rarely played on classical music stations, but which I had heard on a show that plays only very unusual Classical numbers.

I was not disappointed. This small short work by Borodin (about 27 minutes) is really what makes this CD worth purchasing. Borodin's Russian heritage has never been more evident than on this symphony, which may have been his way of "thumbing his nose" at the coming Russian Revolution.

However, the very unusual version of Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain" almost ruined my appreciation of the other Borodin pieces that come after. I have no idea how or why this particular piece was included - it would have been far better to include more of Borodin's short works, or a selection from his 1st symphony, rather than this rather disconcerting version of "Bald Mountain". Quite different from what is normally heard on recordings of "Bald Mountain".

If you make it thru the Mussorgsky pieces however, there's more Borodin for you to enjoy. "In the Steppes of Central Asia" is masterfully done. The selections from the "Prince Igor" opera include the complete Polovetsian dances selection as well as the memorable version of the overture to "Prince Igor". Made me wish they had done the whole work.

I would have given this a perfect five stars if the weird and strange "Bald Mountain" had been omitted and something else of Borodin's compositions had been inserted instead. Still worth buying just for the "Symphony # 2" however.

More good than bad.......2002-06-06

The Borodin pieces on this compilation are worth a listen. I bought this for the Polovtsian Dances, and without a choir they are not quite good enough, though they are still handled well. Borodin's symphony #2 was definitely a pleasant surprise, with hummable melodies in each movement. In the Steppes of Central Asia is an excellent piece and this is an excellent recording of its bouyant, effervescent simplicity. My favorite was the ending of the Prince Igor Overture. Frenzied strings rush to bubble over the top in the second-to-last measure, there is a perfectly timed millisecond of silence and POW the orchestra nails the last note right on the head. It's the best recording of the overture that I've ever heard.

The disappointment comes with all the Mussorgsky. Rimsky-Korsakov was a wonderful composer, but not a wonderful reviser of other people's works. The trumpet vibratos are the only interesting addition to A Night on Bald Mountain; the rest is just grotesque. And the light character of Mussorgsky's original version of the Dance of the Persian Slaves is totally lost in favor of badly-placed noise. There are tons of other recordings of these two Mussorgsky pieces in his original scorings; I recommend those.

Tracks:

Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
Khovanshchina: Dawn Over The River Moscow
The Seasons, Op. 67: Autumn
Symphony No. 4: Meadowland, Or Cavalry Of The Steppes
None But The Lonely Heart, Op. 6, No. 6 - Tchaikovsky
Nocturne
Symphony No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 17 'Little Russian': IV. Finale (Coda: Presto) - Tchaikovsky
Two Guitars (Russian Gypsy Folksong)
Overture To The Tsar's Bride
Overture to Rusian und Ludmyla
Dark Eyes
The Red Poppy: Russian Sailor's Dance - Gliere
The Snow Maiden: Dance Of The Tumblers
Gayne Ballet: Sabre Dance
Caucasian Sketches, Op. 10: Procession Of The Sardar
Prince Igor: Polovstian Dance No. 2
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate Of Kiev
Tsar Sultan Suite, Op. 57: Farewell Of The Tsar
The Nutcracker Suite: Trepak - Tchaikovsky
Sorochinksy Fair: Gopak
1812 Overture, Op.49: Finale - Tchaikovsky

Customer Reviews:

A huge disapointment.......2004-12-01

Yes, this disc has some stunning music...about 2 minutes per selection of it. Sometimes a little more, but this is just a movement or so of each. I was thrilled to find Andrew Davis' version of The Polovstian Dances and found only a short choral section of it. It is a useful survey if you are a fledgeling listener to Russian classical music, but other than that, it is pretty useless for listening.

The true Russian spirit............2000-06-18

This CD has a wonderful combination of the best tunes Russia has to offer (under 10 minutes of course!). Folk tunes like Two Guitars and Dark Eyes add to the Russian spirit. Also a nice war-like tune by an unfamilar man by the name of Knipper. This is his only work that made it to the world of classical music. Many other works done nicely by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and many others who don't end with 'sky'. Very nice way to introduce you to the Russians. Buy it even if you know about the Russian works. There are a few 'one hitters' on this CD.

Average customer rating:

Really Nice Collection
Beautiful and exotic

Caravan: The Ultimate Silk Road Album

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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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:

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

For Sheer Energy and Propulsive Drama
I liked it, but clearly this is not for everybody
The worst ever Phillips???
A Scheherazade that evokes mixed feelings
Dear Scheherazade . . .

Scheherazade
Rimsky-Korsakov , Levitin , Komp , and Gergiev
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky-1812 Overture (White Nights - Romantic Russian Showpieces)
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Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring / Alexander Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy - Valery Gergiev / Kirov Orchestra

ASIN: B00006GEKG
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Customer Reviews:

For Sheer Energy and Propulsive Drama.......2006-11-18

Valery Gergiev is a dependable conductor: if there is staginess and drama to be found in any work he elects to conduct, those elements will dominate. In this rather lengthy old warhorse that sort of approach generally works. Gergiev manages to drive this Scheherazade more like the ship tossing episodes than the dreamier ones, but the sound is never less than exciting.

Many other conductors use this particular work as a showcase piece for their orchestras, giving every section moments of grandeur and the spotlight for virtuosic playing in solo moments. Such was the case in a recent performance with Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos unraveling this richly orchestrated score with the stunning Los Angeles Philharmonic in the glory of Disney Hall. Never before has this work been presented with such clarity and such perfect execution of the solos from the first desk violin and cello to the woodwinds to the percussion section including the harp. Such an exhilarating performance justifies why this old warhorse survives in the concert halls today.

There are many, more subtle recordings of the Scheherazade available, but when coupled with works by and Balakirev as Gergiev has elected to include on this CD, this is one more item to add to the library! Grady Harp, November 06

I liked it, but clearly this is not for everybody.......2005-08-19

The arguments for & against Gergiev's interpretation are totally valid, and for those who like their Sheherazade in a more traditional vein are advised to avoid this recording like the plague. Normally, I would have counted myself among those traditionalists, but upon repeated listenings, I found myself liking enough about this recording to recommend it with reservations.

I can see why people would hate the closed-miked approach here. One has to be prepared to turn down the volume in a hurry at points, as the sound will absolutely blast you, not always with the best results. Some listeners may not enjoy listening to the keys clacking during various woodwind solos. This is very much dependent on personal preferences --- I cannot say that it bothered me much, but this is coming from someone who spent more than a few years playing in symphonies, so it is a sound to which I am accustomed.

The tempo overall is much more a bone of contention. Three movements played at an almost glacial pace are then followed by the a fourth tableau played at amazlingly break-neck speeds. I found the slow tempo to be disconcerting at first, but I rather like the fact that Gergiev & his soloists can explore the nuances of the music more fully than would normally be the case. At times, the music had almost a French quality to it, which I have never heard before with this piece, but strangely enough, it works. The ballet background of both conductor & orchestra may have much to do with the slower tempo.

The fourth tableau is nothing short of spectacular. One reviewer noted that the various orchestral sections seem to be outrunning the others, and at first glance, this would seem to be the case. However, when I sat and listened carefully, it sounds as though everybody really is playing together, just faster than hell. The brass section is absolutely spectacular in the finale, make no mistake about it.

The other two pieces are strictly filler and need little comment, other than to say that the Balakirev is just junk, ample evidence that the man was, on his best day, perhaps a third-tier composer, and probably not even that. Why such a ridiculous trifle as Islamey is even recorded these days is a true mystery to me.

Love it or hate it, this is definitely one of the more interesting Sheherazade interpretations to hit the market in recent years. It is strictly a matter of personal preference whether in fact you love it or hate it.

The worst ever Phillips???.......2005-02-09

First, I have been listening to Phillips recording for close to 25 years......even before CDs came out.

This recording (in the SACD format) has to be the worst recording I have ever heard. I bought this SACD in high hopes after his stunning Shostakovich Sym. No. 7 with Rotterdam/Kirov. That recording was made in De Deolen in Rotterdam. This horrible Sheherazade was recorded in the cavernous Mariinsky Theater.

The performance is okay, though not as fine as the superb RCA Living Stereo SACD of Sheherazade or my old redbook CD with Dutoit/Montreal (Decca). Gergiev's tempos are rather fast and I have to give KUDOS to the principal trumpet for some superb triple tonguing in the last movement of Sheherazade.

Despite some fine playing by the brass in the Kirov, I have to give this SACD only two stars. The sonics are absolutely too closely miked (like many Deutsche Grammaphons), boomy, and way too echoy. The particular engineers for this Phillips recording needs to take some lessons from the engineers from Decca who record the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam...those Decca engineers know how to deal with lively halls.

In fact, this recording was so bad, I no longer plan on buying Gergiev's Shostakovich Sym. No. 4 with Kirov. I only hope his recordings with the Vienna Philharmonic are better!!!

A Scheherazade that evokes mixed feelings.......2004-12-04

Having been an admirer of Gergiev's fresh and exciting Tchaikovsky Nutcracker, I found myself rather shortcharged after hearing his lacklustre version of Scheherazade. Despite the lavish praise that was heaped upon this version by the Penguin Guide, I found that it tended to suffer from Gergiev's mannered approach and lack of adreanaline and passion in the orchestral playing. Gergiev's performance also suffers from a cloudy and close-miked recording where one may not be able to hear the felicities and nuances of the orchestral playing because of the artificial reverb that counters the dryness of the acoustics. Nevertheless, Gergiev ably builds up climaxes slowly but steadily and keeps the architecture of Rimsky's sweltering music in shape.

Gergiev's performance begins with a lethargic rendition of the Sultan's theme, made to sound like a toothless tiger, and lacking in the menace and brutality it needs to convey its bloodthirsty nature. This is answered by Sergei Levithin's equally lethargic portrayal of Scheherazade, where her theme lacks the sinuous nature needed for her to be a seductive storyteller to the Sultan. The ensuing rendition of the first movement starts out slowly but steadily, but even so Gergiev swells the music and allows the performance to warm up when the full orchestra portrays the surging power of the sea. The Kalendar Prince movement fares slightly better, with confident orchestral playing and an exciting middle section with the sinister fanfare transformed into a march. The only demerit in this movement is that the sinister fanfare, when first introduced by the trombones, sounds like a toothles tiger and is unable to alarm the listener. The slow third movement should at least - and more fortunately - be considered a high point of the performance. Despite a slow beginning, Gergiev allows his players to shine and allows this movement to sound radiant, making for a seductive clarinet portrayal of the Young Princess and a jaunty-sounding rendition of her central theme. Gergiev's rendition of this movement is also noteworthy for the detail in the orchestral playing and for its ecstatic-sounding coda. Then, in the lively Festival at Baghdad finale, Gergiev adopts the most breakneck speed I have ever heard for this part of the work, with the Kirov Orchestra playing it until it tingles with adreanaline. At times it sounds rushed and in need of a little precision and slickness, but its only problem is that the weightless Shipwreck section makes it somewhat anticlimactic after all the excitement during the Festival. Nevertheless, Gergiev ends the work serenely and peacefuly.

The two short fill-ups benefit more in this recording, because they are given less mannered perofrmances. Nevertheless, they provide interesting couplings to Scheherazade by allowing the listener to get a taste of the Russianised Orientalism that existed before Scheherazade was written.

Overall, I wouldn't say this is an outstanding recording of Scheherazade because of its checkered effect, but at least it can't be as abominable as it is perceived to be. True, it can't top the Mercury Living Presence version with Dorati and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, but at least it has some worthy merits that allow it to stand on its own.

Dear Scheherazade . . ........2003-09-13

Conductor Gergiev gives a straight-ahead, vigorous and, in the finest moments, artful interpretation of the beloved Scheherazade. I'd like to stress something : It is NOT Gergiev's fault if the recording is somewhat "muffled" or doesn't boast the last word in clarity. The crucial crescendos and orchestral torrents are lacking bits and pieces in dynamic range ; still, the somewhat flawed recording doesn't mar the strength and beauty of the performance, for this is a superb Scheherazade (hence my rating is based on performance alone).

The Kirov members play their hearts out in a most exquisite rendering ; music seems to flow naturally from these Russian forces. They bring back Rimsky-Korsakov in his own territory. The solo violin doesn't sound too spectacular or obtrusive and is not quite up front, as is often the case, letting someone envision a "feminine touch" (it reveals delicate harmonies and it "sings" melodically without being exaggeratedly romantic). Gergiev implies momentum without boosting the music in a deliberate fashion as did Bernstein (NewYork) in an however powerful recording. I still prefer Gergiev's approach which seems to carry more attention to detail and, in the end, tends to sound in a more efficient way.

Other than the present Gergiev (or Bernstein), there's a lot going on with Scheherazade. My favorite records come from the exceptional Fritz Reiner (Chicago), Mario Rossi (Vienna) in an early stereo LP produced by Vanguard, Kiril Kondrashin (Amsterdam) and the honorable Ormandy from Philadelphia. Bernstein's affair is a crude, typically supercharged account. Rossi is an old Vanguard Stereolab from the primeval days of stereo and is almost impossible to find on CD : Too bad because Rossi brought a most beautiful, warm and colorful interpretation, along with the big and luxuriant violin tone of Myriam Solovief (soloist for that session). Kondrashin's a classic in the catalogue--and rightly so--for numerous reasons, it's still one of the finest Scheherazades on disc.

Among the latest recordings to watch, besides the Gergiev, the excellent Mackerras (LSO) and Spano (Atlanta), both on Telarc, are front-runners. Beecham (RPO)--reissued by EMI--will always remain one of those great accounts. I've been rather deceived by the recently reissued Ansermet on Dutton (harsh sound, and a rushed performance that leaves me unmoved) and assume his later Suisse Romande is to be preferred. I also like a recording i own by Anton Nanut (in Slovenia) : Good sound and a more than decent interpretation.

In conclusion, i recommend this CD quite a lot, in spite of a few minor caveats as regards sonics. The accompanying Borodin and Balakirev are very good fillers ('Steppes of Central Asia' is played splendidly), though the star is the ever fascinating and lovely Scheherazade.

*****

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A Great Intro to a Lesser Known Opera
Highlights of Borodin's Prince Igor, and More

Borodin: Prince Igor [Highlights]

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bizet: Carmen (Highlights)

ASIN: B000A17GFG
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

Overture
I Don't Like Boredom (Galitzky's Recitative & Aria, Act I) - Taras Shtonda
Dance Of The Polovtsian Maidens, Act II
Daylight Is Fading (Konchakovna's Cavatina, Act II) - Angelina Shvachka
Slowly The Day Was Fading (Valdimir's Cavatina, Act II) - Dmytro Popov
There Is Neither Sleep, Nor Rest (Igor's Aria, Act II) - Mykola Koval
Choral Version Of The Polovtsian Dances, Act II
Polovtsian March, Act III
In The Steppes Of Central Asia

Customer Reviews:

A Great Intro to a Lesser Known Opera.......2006-02-14

Borodin's PRINCE IGOR is a large, grand spectacle of Russian opera in the tradition of BORIS GODOUNOV. The robust overture is known to concert goers and the melodies of its Polovtsian Dances would be among classical music's better known tunes. Today the opera is largely unknown outside of Russia except by those who own the complete versions of the work (EMI and Sony both include the work in their catalogues). For those who would like a sampling of the opera, this disc from Naxos fits the bill. It includes the overture, the dance scenes with chorus (a treat for those only familiar with the orchestral renditions), the Polovtsian march, and a sampling of arias, one each for tenor, mezzo, baritone, and bass.

If the expression that water only makes us thirst for wine is true, then this disc is the water that makes a listener thirsty for the wine of a complete recording, with the soloists of this set, its orchestra and chorus. We get a sense that all involved are familiar with the opera. The Ukraine National Radio Symphony under Theodore Kuchar's direction has a fulsome sound that is appropriate for the music. The soloists seem at home with the music they perform as well. My only objection is that some of the great choral scenes of this opera are not included on the disc, perhaps in place of "In the Steppes of Central Asia" which concludes the recording, but since we hear a fine rendition of the work, it's not a major criticism.

Highlights of Borodin's Prince Igor, and More.......2005-09-25

There are purists who scoff at highlights recordings of operas. But my experience is that when there is an opera that I'm not familiar with, it sometimes helps to hear the highlights first and make a judgment about its overall quality in order to decide whether to spend the sometimes huge cost of obtaining the complete opera. As it happens, I have a full recording of Borodin's 'Prince Igor,' but I also have become a fan of Theodore Kuchar and the orchestra he records with so often, the National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. And I knew that there are some fabulous voices coming out of Ukraine these days. Hence this recording. And what a delight it is!

The highlights included here are the Overture, Galitsky's first act aria, the Dance of the Polovtsian Maidens from Act II, Konchakovna's Act II aria, Vladimir's Act II Cavatina, Igor's Act II aria, the choral version of the Polovtsian Dances (different, and more effective, than the all-orchestral version we tend to hear) and then the Polovtsian March from Act III. This totals about fifty minutes. The CD is then filled out with an excellent performance of Borodin's 'In the Steppes of Central Asia.'

I must say that the singers here do not disappoint; both the chorus and the various soloists are excellent. Galitsky is sung by Taras Shtonda, a bass whose voice has enough ping (deriving from his fast vibrato) to give the evil Galitsky a bit of a nasty edge (appropriately so). Konchakovna's exotic sounding Cavatina is sung by the wonderful rich-voiced contralto Angelina Shvachka. Prince Vladimir, her lover, is sung by the 23-year-old tenor, Dmytro Popov. He is headed for big things, I suspect. His caressing tone in the softer portions of the aria is very pleasing. The title role is sung by bass-baritone Mykola Koval, the most established member of the cast; he's been singing at the Ukraine National Opera for more than twenty years. His melancholic aria is sung with dramatic thrust, but there is an incipient wobble in the voice. The orchestra and chorus give us exciting and characterful performances of the orchestral and choral sections.

The transliterated Russian words of the arias and their English translations are included in the booklet. There is also a fairly detailed synopsis provided.

I suspect this would be a good buy for someone who is not familiar with Borodin's opera or for someone who knows some of the music but doesn't want to invest in a full recording. (Naxos some time ago also released a historic 1950s recording from the Bolshoi of the full opera on 3 CDs . It is in mono, of course, but is a fine account for relatively modest cost.)

Scott Morrison

Tchaikovsky: Marche Slav; Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture

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Tchaikovsky: Marche Slav; Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000E8NY
Release Date: 1983-06-28

Tracks:

Ruslan & Ludmila: Ov
In The Steppes Of Central Asia
Marche Slav, Op.91
Russian Easter Ov, Op.36
The Red Poppy: Russian Sailor's Dance

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