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Review
Though they are a poor substitute for the all too rare performances (in the west at least) of the operas themselves, the orchestral suites that Rimsky-Korsakov often extracted from his stage works often convey their textures and particular dramatic flavours very vividly. Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Orchestra included the suite from The Legend of Tsar Saltan on a previous Rimsky disc for Naxos, and two more of the best known are included here, and the four numbers from The Snow Maiden, which include the well-known Dance of the Clowns, and from Rimsky's final opera The Golden Cockerel, emphasise the stylistic distance that the composer travelled between the early 1880s and the first decade of the 20th century. Schwarz's approach seems more suited to the broader brush of the earlier work than to the leaner, more acerbic style that Rimsky adopted for The Golden Cockerel, and there are moments too when one wished the playing of the Seattle Symphony had a bit more character, for all its neat precision. But all the performances, including those of the less well-known extracts from the folksy Mlada and the single-movement "musical picture", Sadko, a symphonic poem effectively, which predated Rimsky's wonderful opera with the same name, have real energy and a touch of the necessary theatricality too.*** --Guardian,15/12/11
The Seattle woodwind burst with character, and there's some hair-raising trombone playing as the surreal drama of Rimsky-Korsakov's slightly scary swansong builds up to head of steam. Performance **** Recording **** --BBC Music Magazine,Feb'12
The pieces are enjoyable as lolliops; perhaps they will encourage listeners to explore Rimsky-Korsakov's operatic legacy more fully. --Gramophone,Feb'12
This is exquisitely crafted,Faberge-egg music,and Schwarz's Seattle players revel in the exotic harmonies and orchestration. --Sunday Times,29/01/12
The Seattle woodwind burst with character, and there's some hair-raising trombone playing as the surreal drama of Rimsky-Korsakov's slightly scary swansong builds up to head of steam. Performance **** Recording **** --BBC Music Magazine,Feb'12
The pieces are enjoyable as lolliops; perhaps they will encourage listeners to explore Rimsky-Korsakov's operatic legacy more fully. --Gramophone,Feb'12
This is exquisitely crafted,Faberge-egg music,and Schwarz's Seattle players revel in the exotic harmonies and orchestration. --Sunday Times,29/01/12
CD Description
Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral genius shines through in his colourful operatic suites, and that from his final opera Le Coq dor is richly dramatic and expressive. The complicated folk-based story of the Snow Maiden is simplified into four enchanting movements, and that of Sadko into a single, radiantly descriptive tone-poem. The thrilling legend of Mlada is represented by vivid dances and a final Cortège. Gerard Schwarzs recording of Rimsky-Korsakovs Sheherazade (8.572693) with the Seattle Symphony was described as absolutely terrific. (ClassicsToday.com) Gerard Schwarz celebrated his Farewell Season as Seattle Symphony Music Director in 20102011. He now serves as the Rebecca & Jack Benaroya Conductor Laureate. Under Schwarzs artistic leadership, the Seattle Symphony evolved into one of the worlds finest orchestras .
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One evening at dinner, I mentioned that this disc had been reviewed in the Sundays; my eldest son who was visiting filed this information away and bought it as a Christmas present - and I'm glad he did, because the disc on the always-superb Naxos label is a joy.
Although some - if not all - of the suite from The Snow Maiden is sometimes broadcast, the rest of the music contained on the disc seldom is, and that's a pity. First performed in 1869, the music from Sadko was revised 23 years later and according to the accompanying puff, it was disapproved of by the Tsar - although it's not clear whether this criticism was levelled at the initial or the revised score. But that's neither here nor there, the splendid score rolls like a tidal wave and is enchanting. Best of all, in my opinion is the suite from Le Coq d'or, music I haven't heard in 50 years.
Rimsky-Korsakov is best remembered for Scheherazade and Capriccio Espagnol and very good they are, too - but he wrote much more terrific music as well and this disc, with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra expertly conducted by Gerard Schwartz, contains some of the best.
Highly recommended.
Although some - if not all - of the suite from The Snow Maiden is sometimes broadcast, the rest of the music contained on the disc seldom is, and that's a pity. First performed in 1869, the music from Sadko was revised 23 years later and according to the accompanying puff, it was disapproved of by the Tsar - although it's not clear whether this criticism was levelled at the initial or the revised score. But that's neither here nor there, the splendid score rolls like a tidal wave and is enchanting. Best of all, in my opinion is the suite from Le Coq d'or, music I haven't heard in 50 years.
Rimsky-Korsakov is best remembered for Scheherazade and Capriccio Espagnol and very good they are, too - but he wrote much more terrific music as well and this disc, with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra expertly conducted by Gerard Schwartz, contains some of the best.
Highly recommended.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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3 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Magnificent music, disappointing performances
1 April 2012
Format:Audio CD
Years ago, I took the online quiz "Which Dead Russian Composer Are You?" (Try it for yourself at [...]) I had hoped to be Prokofiev, but I'm not passionate enough about chess. Moussorgsky? Not a chance. Much as I enjoy a good drink, vodka simply isn't the answer to everything. No, I was Rimsky-Korsakov--the pedantic professor, government bureaucrat (Inspector of Bands), and one-hit wonder (Scheherazade). This was hardly the result I had hoped for. And yet, when I hear something as stunning as the "Procession of the Nobles" from Mlada, I'm delighted to be associated with this underrated master.
All the music on this disc is magnificent, but Gerard Schwarz's performances are disappointing. Schwarz is a first-rate interpreter of American music, as demonstrated by his excellent recordings of symphonies by David Diamond, Howard Hanson, and especially Alan Hovhaness. But he's less persuasive in the standard repertory and hardly more compelling here.
Schwarz's tempos are often quite brisk, leaving precious little room for Rimsky's charming melodies to breathe. Moreover, selections like the miniature symphonic poem Sadko seem episodic and prosaic in his hands. The Seattle Symphony plays splendidly for their beloved leader, particularly the majestic brass section. Schwarz was, after all, among the greatest trumpet virtuosos before he tossed his horn aside to take up the baton. But the string section seems threadbare at times, and Naxos consistently mutes Rimsky's kaleidoscopic colors--a mortal sin in this repertory. Overall the sound is distant and dry. The warmth and resonance of Seattle's glorious Benaroya Hall is entirely absent from this recording.
Neeme Jarvi on Chandos is superior in nearly every department Rimsky-Korsakov: Overture and Suites from the Operas. His splendid Scottish orchestra plays with welcome swagger and panache, and his interpretations are invariably exciting, without ever sounding rushed or cold.
All the music on this disc is magnificent, but Gerard Schwarz's performances are disappointing. Schwarz is a first-rate interpreter of American music, as demonstrated by his excellent recordings of symphonies by David Diamond, Howard Hanson, and especially Alan Hovhaness. But he's less persuasive in the standard repertory and hardly more compelling here.
Schwarz's tempos are often quite brisk, leaving precious little room for Rimsky's charming melodies to breathe. Moreover, selections like the miniature symphonic poem Sadko seem episodic and prosaic in his hands. The Seattle Symphony plays splendidly for their beloved leader, particularly the majestic brass section. Schwarz was, after all, among the greatest trumpet virtuosos before he tossed his horn aside to take up the baton. But the string section seems threadbare at times, and Naxos consistently mutes Rimsky's kaleidoscopic colors--a mortal sin in this repertory. Overall the sound is distant and dry. The warmth and resonance of Seattle's glorious Benaroya Hall is entirely absent from this recording.
Neeme Jarvi on Chandos is superior in nearly every department Rimsky-Korsakov: Overture and Suites from the Operas. His splendid Scottish orchestra plays with welcome swagger and panache, and his interpretations are invariably exciting, without ever sounding rushed or cold.
Wonderful and Powerful music
25 April 2012
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Purchased the CD for my son as a gift. He is in Middle School and plays the violin. His orchestra has played the arranged version of several of the songs on the CD. He enjoyed listening to this high quaility performance. We listen to it often in the car. It is a wonderful selection of music.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Rimsky-Korsakov orchestral works
8 Jan 2012
Format:Audio CD
Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (NRK) was both a composer and an officer in the Russian navy. He became a key member of the famous group called the "Moguchaya Kuchka" (Mighty Handful), whose aim was to follow in Glinka's footsteps and create a distinctly Russian school of music instead of adhering to traditional European musical conventions. The group was formed in St. Petersburg before the foundation of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatory in 1862 by Anton Rubinstein.
NRK's appointment as professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1871 upset some members of the "Moguchaya Kuchka." Borodin welcomed it, but the others - Cui, Musorgsky (spelled thus in Grove Music), and especially Balakirev - opposed it because they were fiercely anti-conservatory. For NRK, however, it provided a secure income. Eventually, he became one of Russia's most prominent and beloved nineteenth-century Russian composers.
In addition to symphonies, orchestral tone poems, and songs, NRK composed 16 operas. This CD offers excerpts from four of his most successful ones: "The Snow Maiden," "Sadko," "Mlada," and "The Golden Cockerel." For listeners looking for this combination of works on a single CD, this is an excellent disk to buy. A quick look on the Internet didn't turn up any rival CDs containing this combination of orchestral excerpts from these four operas. The Seattle Symphony Orchestra, under Gerard Schwarz's expert guidance, performs splendidly. The playing is superb, the recorded sound is first-class, and Keith Anderson's program notes are very informative. To add to the pleasure, this CD is modestly priced. If you enjoy NRK's music, be sure to buy this CD!
Ted Wilks
NRK's appointment as professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1871 upset some members of the "Moguchaya Kuchka." Borodin welcomed it, but the others - Cui, Musorgsky (spelled thus in Grove Music), and especially Balakirev - opposed it because they were fiercely anti-conservatory. For NRK, however, it provided a secure income. Eventually, he became one of Russia's most prominent and beloved nineteenth-century Russian composers.
In addition to symphonies, orchestral tone poems, and songs, NRK composed 16 operas. This CD offers excerpts from four of his most successful ones: "The Snow Maiden," "Sadko," "Mlada," and "The Golden Cockerel." For listeners looking for this combination of works on a single CD, this is an excellent disk to buy. A quick look on the Internet didn't turn up any rival CDs containing this combination of orchestral excerpts from these four operas. The Seattle Symphony Orchestra, under Gerard Schwarz's expert guidance, performs splendidly. The playing is superb, the recorded sound is first-class, and Keith Anderson's program notes are very informative. To add to the pleasure, this CD is modestly priced. If you enjoy NRK's music, be sure to buy this CD!
Ted Wilks
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