Rimsky-Korsakov: Coq D'or; Tale of the Tsar Saltan

Editorial Reviews
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

Tracks:

Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni. Andante con moto
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena e canto gitano
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano
Sadko: Song of India
The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
Le Coq d'or Suite: IV. Introduction and Bridal Procession
Mlada Suite: Procession of the Nobles
Tsar Saltan Suite, Op. 57: Farewell of the Tsar
Russian Easter Overture
Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
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.

Panorama: Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

Average customer rating:

A powerful and wonderful CD
POWERFUL , and AWESOME!!!
A must

Panorama: Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Panorama: Modest Mussorgsky
Panorama: Frederic Chopin
Schubert: 8 Symphonies
Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116

ASIN: B00004W3IY
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Sheherazade, Op. 35: The Sea and Sinbad's Ship - Michel Schwalbe
Sheherazade, Op. 35: The Story Of The Kalander Prince - Michel Schwalbe
Sheherazade, Op. 35: The Young Prince and The Young Princess - Michel Schwalbe
Sheherazade, Op. 35: Festival At Baghdad - The Sea - Shipwreck - Michel Schwalbe
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso - Berliner Philharmoniker
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni. Andante con moto - Berliner Philharmoniker
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso - Berliner Philharmoniker
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena e canto gitano. Allgretto - Berliner Philharmoniker
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano - Berliner Philharmoniker
The Flight Of The Bumblebee - Michel Schwalbe
Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op.36 - Concertgebouw Orchestra

Tracks:

The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: Suite, Op. 57: The Tsar's Departure and Farewell - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: Suite, Op. 57: The Tsarina In A Barrel At Sea - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: Suite, Op. 57: The Three Wonders - Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 2 (Symphonic Suite), Op. 9 'Antar': Largo - Allegro - Largo - Allegretto - Adagio - Allegretto - Largo - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 2 (Symphonic Suite), Op. 9 'Antar': Allegro - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 2 (Symphonic Suite), Op. 9 'Antar': Allegro risoluto - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 2 (Symphonic Suite), Op. 9 'Antar': Allegretto - Adagio - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
The Golden Cockerel: Suite: Introduction And Dodon's Sleep - Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureax
The Golden Cockerel: Suite: King Dodon On The Battlefield - Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureax
The Golden Cockerel: Suite: Queen of Shamakha's Dance - King Dodon's Dance - Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureax
The Golden Cockerel: Suite: Wedding Procession - Death Of King Dodon - Finale - Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureax

Customer Reviews:

A powerful and wonderful CD.......2005-11-08

The performances are superb. The sound quality is excellent. It is a fine choice of works by Rimsky-Korsakov (over 2 hours and 35 minutes of music). We hear one of my favorite performances of Sheherazade. And the Capriccio Espagnol. The Flight of the Bumblebee. The Tsar Saltan Suite, the Golden Cockerel Suite, the Russian Easter Festival Overture. And the Second symphony. These are all dramatic works by a master of orchestration.

I highly recommend this two-disc set.

POWERFUL , and AWESOME!!!.......2004-07-11

The power that radiates from the instruments in Scheherezade is magnificient. Please, I know this line of CD's are expensive, but they are worth it. The sound is incredible! if you turn it up real loud, while listening through the headphones, you can hear the people taking their breaths before they play, dropping various items such as mallets, and sticks! Thats just how sensitive the sound is. Out of 10 stars, i give it Infinity stars...every time I listen to it, it gets better, and better, and better............

A must.......2002-12-14

Buy this CD. Don't think about it. Just buy it. I, personally, bought this CD because of the fact that it had Sheherazade (an incredibly moving and colorful piece). This interpretation of Sheherazade by Karajan is among the best (if not THE best). However, as I began to listen to the rest of the CD I found the other pieces to be equally brilliant and astounding. The flare of Capriccio Espagnol, the dramatic Second Symphony and the simple ingenuity and cheeriness of the Tsar Sultan suite. The piece that I found most surprising was the Russian Easter Festival Overture. This is one of music's most under appreciated pieces in music, and ranks easily belong side Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet or Brahms Academic Festival and Tragic overtures. Its relatively simplistic themes are some of the most exciting and riveting every written. This CD is a must for ANY lover (or of anybody even slightly interested in classical music in general). I would note that the sound quality is excellent as well...if that's a must for some of you.

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

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Grieg: Complete Music with Orchestra
A. Glazunov: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 8
The Essential Borodin
Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
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:

Cello Concerto No. 2 In D Major, H. 7b Op. 101
Cello Concerto In A Minor, Op. 129
Phantasiestke (3 Fantasy Pieces) For Clarinet (Or Cello Or Violin) & Piano, Op
Variations On A Rococo Theme, For Cello & Orchestra (Or Cello & Piano) In A Majo
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 1 In F Major, Op. 5/1
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 5/2
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 3 In A Major, Op. 69
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 4 In C Major, Op. 102/1
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 5 In D Major, Op. 102/2
Sonata For Arpeggione & Piano In A Minor, D.821
Pieces For Children Big And Small For Piano, 4 Hands Op. 85
Feldeinsamkeit ("Ich Ruhe Still Im Hohen Gren Gras"), Song For Voice & Piano,
Romance For Cello & Piano, Op. 69
Shylock, Incidental Music And Suite For Tenor & Orch., Op. 57
Mavra, Opera Buffa In One Act
Nocturne For Violin (Or Flute) & Piano
Melody In F, Various Arrangements, Op. 3/1
Introduction & Polonaise Brilliante For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 3
Song Without Words For Cello & Piano In D Major, Op. 109
Le Coq D'or (The Golden Cockerel; Zolotoy Petushok), Concert Suite For Orchestra
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57
Carnival Of The Animals, Zoological Fantasy For 2 Pianos & Ensemble
Berceuse, For Violin & Piano (Or Orchestra) In D Major, Op. 16
Tonadillas Al Estilo Antiguo, Songs (10) For Voice & Piano, H. 136
Goyescas (Serenata Goyesca; Dusk), For Piano, H. 63
La Gitana For Violin & Piano (After An 18th Century Arabo-Spanish Gypsy Song)
Papillon, For Cello & Piano, Op. 77
L' Enfant Prodigue, Sce Lyrique For Voices & Orchestra, L. 57
Pie En Forme De Habanera, For Solo Instrument & Keyboard (Arr.)
Kaddisch, Song For Voice & Piano (Modie Hraue No. 1)
O Mensch, Bewein' Dein' Sde Gross, Chorale Prelude For Organ (Orgel-Bhlein N
Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen, Chorale Prelude For Organ, Bwv 727 (Bc K109)
Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), Chorale Prelude For Organ (Orgel-Bhlein
Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland (I), Chorale Prelude For Organ (Orgel-Bhlein No. 1
Sonata For Cello & Continuo In C Major, G. 6 (Six Sonatas No. 2)

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Fournier.......2004-02-16

On this 4CD EMI Import, the great cellist Pierre Fournier performs a variety of orchestral and chamber recordings, recorded primarily in mono from the 1940s and early 50s. There are three orchestral works -- Haydn's 2nd Concerto (Kubelik/Philharmonia, 1951), Schumann's Concerto (Sargent/Philharmonia, 1956 in stereo), and Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations (Bigot/Lamoureux, 1941). Disc two, and half of disc three, contain Beethoven Cello Sonatas with the great Artur Schnabel, while the fourth disc features a variety of pieces, from Bach and Boccherini to Debussy and Ravel, with pianist Gerald Moore. I'm withholding a fifth star because the collection contains mostly historical recordings, though it certainly captures one of history's greatest cellists in his prime. With that being said, "Les Introuvables de Pierre Fournier" is a must buy for cello entusiasts.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Choice
Rewarding Rimsky-Korsakov

Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | 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
Similar Items:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits
Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
The Queen

ASIN: B00005NEZY
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Tsar's Departure & Farewell - Paul Kletzki
Tsarina In A Barrel At Sea - Paul Kletzki
The Flight Of The Bumblebees - Andre Cluytens
The Three Wonders - Paul Kletzki
Russian Easter Overature - Lovro Von Matacic
King Dodon In His Palace - Efrem Kurtz
King Dodon On The Battlefield - Efrem Kurtz
King Dodon As The Guest Of Queen Shemakha - Efrem Kurtz
The Marriage Feast And Lamentable End Of Dodon - Efrem Kurtz
Capriccio Espagnol - Andre Cluytens

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Choice.......2007-02-24

I heartily concur with reviewer Richman's assessment of this re-release on the Seraphim label. Unlike him, I am a long-time collector who is just trying to fill a few "holes" in my music library without breaking the bank. Bingo! This recording was a perfect choice for me. Nice sound, good performances, all you could ask for.

Rewarding Rimsky-Korsakov.......2003-07-28

This is one of my favorite CDs in the latest installment of EMI's Seraphim budget-line series. "Rimsky-Korsakov: Orchestral Favorites" collects just what it says, some of the composer's best-known and most-loved shorter works for orchestra, including the Tsar Sultan and Golden Cockerel Suites, Russian Easter Overture and Capriccio Espagnol. Though the best part about this disc for a vintage stereo fan like myself is classic performances with the Philharmonia Orchestra by some of the lesser-known, but nonetheless great, conductors of the 20th Century -- Paul Kletzki, Andre Cluytens, Lovro von Matacic and Efrem Kurtz. All of this material has been available on CD previously, and in fact the only piece I don't have on two different products is the Matacic Russian Easter Overture performance. But those of you who started collecting classical late (like me) and haven't had a chance to purchase titles in the "Artist Profile" series, will truly benefit from the current availability of these magnificent recordings. And those of you who could care less about what I just said and were just looking for a second Rimsky-Korsakov disc because you are ready to move-on from your heavily played copy of Scheherazade, you've happened upon a real gem.

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

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

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Rimsky-Korsakov: Suites
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Capriccio Espagnol
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2
Dvorák: The Symphonies

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.

Average customer rating:

Exciting, energetic, different, and wonderful
Rimsky Korsakov rocks!
Raucous Russian Collection
Great Ormandy collection

Russian Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000029S1
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

Le Coq d'Or: I. Tsar Dodon In His Palace
Le Coq d'Or: II. Tsar Dodon On The Battlefield
Le Coq d'Or: III. Tsar Dodon And The Queen Of Shemakha
Le Coq d'Or: IV. Bridal Procession And The Lamentable Death Of Tsar Dodon
The Snow Maiden: Dance Of The Tumblers
Mlada: Procession Of The Nobles
Tsar Saltan: Farewell Of The Tsar
Christmas Eve: Polonaise
Flight Of The Bumblebee
Ivan The Terrible
Islamey
The Red Poppy: Russian Sailors' Dance
Sorochintsy Fair: Hopak
Masquerade: Galop
Gayane: Dance Of The Young Maidens
Gayane: Sabre Dance
The Comedians, Op. 26: Comedians' Galop
Caucasian Sketches: Procession Of The Sardar

Customer Reviews:

Exciting, energetic, different, and wonderful.......2007-05-11

"Essential Classics", which has provided the world with many wonderful, delightfully cheap performances of the best known repertoire presents something a little different - a wonderful, delightfully cheap performance of little known pieces by some of the best Russian composers who have been overshadowed by their comrades.

No, you won't find Tchaikovsky here. You'll find Rimsky-Korsakov in something beyond "Scheherezade" (and boy do you find him). You'll find Balakirev, and will hopefully turn towards his other pieces (the incredible piano concertos on Hyperion [with Rimsky-Korsakov, as it so happens] are highly recommended!) and fall in love. You'll see another side of Mussorgsky, the one beyond "Pictures at an Exhibition". You'll spot Khachaturian, too. You'll meet Kabalevsky (who?) and Ivanov (again, who?). You'll find Gliere in his amazing form in "Russian Sailor's Dance" (my personal favorite - exciting, energetic, and awesome).

There are composers here you've heard of, but never heard. There are composers you know from one piece, and are curious for more. There are the obscure, the forgotten, and the brilliant. And it's cheap. If not found here, it's downloadable, but having it's preferable to purchase (thus the Amazon review).

Enjoy!

Rimsky Korsakov rocks!.......2002-05-23

i bought this CD solely for the purpose of owning once piece on here, Rimsky-Korsakov's Procession of Nobles. i have loved that piece ever since my band played it in high school. it is a great piece of music. oh, and all the others on here are awesome as well. :)

Raucous Russian Collection.......2001-04-01

This Sony Essential Classics disc collects some lesser-known works by great nineteenth and twentieth century Russian composers, and some great works by some lesser-known Russian composers. "Russian Orchestral Works" features yet another in a long line of terrific performances by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The most familiar compositions here by far are Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" (one of two pieces performed by Leopold Stokowski and the National Philharmonic Orchestra and not Ormandy) and "Procession of the Nobles," and Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance." The other pieces range from other excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov operas, to less familiar works by Mussorgsky, Kabalevsky and Khachaturian, to three composers I had never heard prior to purchasing this CD -- Balakirev, Gliere and Ivanov. In all, the disc is sequenced intelligently, and the music played and recorded impeccably. This might not be the most "Essential" of the Sony Essential Classics series, but it will make a welcome addition to any classical collection.

Great Ormandy collection.......2001-04-01

Ormandy's skill never ceases to amaze me. This is an incredible collection of many of the greatest Russian Orchestral pieces, all performed excellently -- attention to dynamics, expression, and timing is all superb. The lion's share of this cd is devoted to Rimsky. A brilliant performance of Le Coq d'or, and of course the usual Procession of Nobles, Tumblers, and Flight of the Bumblebee. The big surprise is Ivan the Terrible, which is rarely performed (neither orchestral nor opera).

The rest is made largely of modern Russians, save a Balakirev piece and a brief excerpt of Mussorgsky, thankfully excluding Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and gang.

Tracks:

The Golden Cockerel - Ste: First Movt: Tsar Dodon In His Palace
The Golden Cockerel - Ste: Second Movt: Tsar Dodon On The Battlefield
The Golden Cockerel - Ste: Third Movt: Tsar Dodon As The Guest Of The Queen Of Shemakha
The Golden Cockerel - Ste: Fourth Movt: The Wedding And Lamentable End Of Dodon
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan - Ste, Op.57: First Movt: The Tsar's Farewell And Departure (Intro...
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan - Ste, Op.57: Second Movt: The Tarina in A Barrel At Sea (Intro To Act 1)
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan - Ste, Op.57: Third Movt: The Three Wonders (Intro To Act 4, Scene2)
Flight Of The Bumble-Bee: From 'The Tale Of Tsar Saltan'
Christmas Eve - Ste: Holy Night
Christmas Eve - Ste: Games And Dances Of The Stars .1 Mazurka/.2 The Sixth Comet/.3 Csardas And...
Christmas Eve - Ste: The Devils Christmas
Christmas Eve - Ste: Polonaise
Christmas Eve - Ste: Procession To Midnight Mass And Carols

Amazon.com

The Armenian Philharmonic is just the orchestra for this kind of thing. Hardly a world-class organization, what they lack in polish they more than make up for in sheer color and enthusiasm. There's a tendency in today's orchestras to play everything with the same, highly finished gloss. This is simply a function of their high level of proficiency. And while there's nothing at all wrong with technical perfection, the fact is that this music usually doesn't arouse the kind of dedication you notice when a musician really feels proud of having conquered a tricky piece of writing. Well, you do get that sense of pride with the Armenians, and it's probably as close as we can come to what the music sounded like in the composer's own time. --David Hurwitz

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Orchestral Works (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Orchestral Works (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00007E8M3
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

The Sea And Sinbad's Ship (Largo E Maestoso-Lento-Allegro Non Troppo) - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Kalendar Prince (Lento) - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Young Prince And The Young Princess (Andantino Quasi Allegretto) - Loris Tjeknavorian
Festival At Bagdad - The Sea (Allegro Molto-Lento-Allegro Molto E Frenetico - Poco Piu Tranquillo - Loris Tjeknavorian
Sadko, Musical Picture Op.5 - Loris Tjeknavorian
Song Of India, From Sadko - Loris Tjeknavorian

Tracks:

The Tsar's Bride, Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra
Fantasia On Serbian Themes, Op.6 - Philharmonia Orchestra
Largo Assai-Allegro - Philharmonia Orchestra
Andante Tranquillo - Philharmonia Orchestra
Scherzo, Vivace - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegro Assai - Philharmonia Orchestra
Largo-Allegro Giocoso - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegro - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegro Risoluto Alla Marcia - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegretto Vivace - Philharmonia Orchestra

Tracks:

Overture On Russian Themes, Op.20 - Philharmonia Orchestra
Moderato Assai - London Symphony Orchestra
Scherzo (Vivo) - London Symphony Orchestra
Andante-Animato Assai - London Symphony Orchestra
Allegro Con Spirito-Animato - London Symphony Orchestra
Fairy-Tale (Skazka), Op.29 - London Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

Tsar Dodon In His Palace - Loris Tjeknavorian
Tsar Dodon On The Battlefield - Loris Tjeknavorian
Tsar Dodon As The Guest Of The Queen Of Semakha - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Wedding And Lamentable End Of Dodon - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Tsar's Farewell And Departure - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Tsarina In A Barrel At Sea - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Three Wonders - Loris Tjeknavorian
Flight Of The Bumble-Bee - Loris Tjeknavorian
Holy Night - Loris Tjeknavorian
Games And Dances Of The Stars-Mazurka-The Sixth Comet-Csardas And Rain Of The Falling Stars - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Devil's Christmas - Loris Tjeknavorian
Polonaise - Loris Tjeknavorian
Procession To Midnight Mass And Carols - Loris Tjeknavorian

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