Glazunov: Raymonda - Music from the Ballet

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Raymonda is an 1897 commission from the Imperial Theatre at St. Petersburg--commissioned by the same guy who commissioned Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker from Tchaikovsky. It's a medieval romance set in Provence, France, at the time of the Crusades; the beautiful maiden, Raymonda, is taken captive by a Saracen chief and is subsequently rescued by her crusading fiancé. This is all typical Russian-ballet stuff of the era, and it's not as thematically rich as Scheherazade. It is, however, filled with memorable moments and delightful orchestral flourishes. This is one of Glazunov's greater successes. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Dance Of The Tumblers (The Snow Maiden)
Danse oreintale (Scenes de Ballet)
Valse (Scenes de Ballet)
Folk Dance (Romeo And Juliet)
Tea For Two (Tahiti Trot)
Dance Of A Greek Slave (Spartacus)
Redowa: A Bohemian Dance (MIlada)
Lithuanian Dance (MIlada)
Indian Dance (MIlada)
Waltz (Masquerade)
Lezghinka
Pushkin Waltz No.1
Pushkin Waltz No.2
'Bluebird' Pas de deux: Entry - Variations 1& 2 - Coda
Maidens Dance
Grande Valse & Pizzicato
Trepak (Russian Dance)
Pas de deux

Average customer rating:

It Would Be Worth Every Cent Just for the Brahms Sonatas
Essential Oistrakh
Fantastic
A wondeful collection
Oistrakh (and Richter) Triumphant!

David Oistrakh Edition

Manufacturer: Melodiya
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Davd Oistrakh and Sviatoslav Richter - Live at Alice Tully Hall, New York 1970
David Oistrakh
Heifetz & Piatigorsky - Historic Performance Film Footage
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

ASIN: B000001HDT
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 2. Canzonetta. Andante
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 3. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 2. Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 3. Allegro, ma non troppo
Two Humoresques For Violin And Orchestra op. 87: No. 1 In D Minor
Two Humoresques For Violin And Orchestra op. 87: No. 2 In D Major

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 1. Allegro non troppo
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 2. Adagio
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace - Poco piu presto
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 1. Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 3. Finale. Allegro gioicoso, ma non troppo

Tracks:

Ciacona In G Minor
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melody
Widmung, Op. 25 No. 1
Romance In A Major Op. 94 No. 2
Hungarian Dance No. 8 in A Minor - Presto
Hungarian Dance No. 9 in E Minor - Allegro ma non troppo
Hungarian Dance No. 20 in D Minor - Allegretto - Vivace
Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor - Allegro - Vivace
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: El pano moruno
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Nana. Berceuse
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Cancion
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Polo
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Asturiana
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Jota
Six Songs: Love Song, No. 6
Danzas espanolas op. 37: Andaluza No. 5
Suite Bergamasque: Passepied
Beau Soir
Raymonda op. 57: Entr' acte
Daisies, op. 38 No. 3
Vocalise op. 34 No. 14

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: 1. Allegro amabile
Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: 2. Andante tranquillo - Vivace - Andante - Vivace di piu - Andante - Vivace
Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: Allegro grazioso (quasi Andante)
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 1. Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 2. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 3. Un poco presto e con sentimento
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 4. Presto agitato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 1. Allegretto ben moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 2. Allegro
Violin Sonata In A Major: 3. Recitativo - Fantasia. Ben moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 4. Allegretto poco mosso

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 1. Allegro appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 2. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 3. Allegro
Violin Sonata op. 134: 1. Andante
Violin Sonata op. 134: 2. Allegretto
Violin Sonata op. 134: 3. Largo

Customer Reviews:

It Would Be Worth Every Cent Just for the Brahms Sonatas.......2006-12-19

This is probably my favorite boxed set of anything, ever. Each disc has its own merits but the Brahms and Franck are passionate and sublime, the Bartok is everything you want your Bartok to be, and of course the Tchaikovsky is without comparison. Long live King David!

Essential Oistrakh.......2002-01-10

A mandatory purchase (at a bargain price!) for all violin lovers- it contains some of Oistrakh's greatest recorded performances, including mind-boggling performances of the Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Brahms and and Dvorak concerti as well as the famous sonata recordings with Richter. Please, BMG, could we have more such treasures from Melodiya's legendary vaults?

Fantastic.......2000-07-31

Perhaps the great accomplishment in playing an instrument is to play it naturally, as if it were like breathing. Few artists prove this point as well as Oistrakh, the Soviet Union's artist, a true symbol of the Russian's school of music's excellence. As some other reviewer said, this is a moment of true musical orgasm. As an aspiring violinist, hearing Oistrakh's effortless rendition of the Tchaikovsky brings one almost to tears before such greatness. Some may complain about his dated method, but I favor it above any other artist, and highly recommend his interpretation of both the Brahms and the Tchaikovsky. Considering the fact that people didn't walk out of his performance of the pieces while a bombing raid was going on (during WWII), the man's musical prowess is second to none. Of special attention is the Brahms Sonata in A Major with Richter, easily one of the purest performances of the piece.

A wondeful collection.......2000-07-01

David Oistrakh has arguably the best pure tone of all who have ever played the violin--bar none.

Oistrakh (and Richter) Triumphant!.......2000-02-07

Reviewer David Mednicoff is exactly right about this set. All the concerto performances are terrific, but the two discs of sonatas (Brahms #2 & 3; Frank; Shostakovich [the live world premiere] and Bartok) with Richter are really something else. Amazing.

Glazunov: Raymonda - Music from the Ballet

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, tuneful ballet

Glazunov: Raymonda - Music from the Ballet

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Glazunov - Raymonda / Bolshoi Ballet, Ludmila Semenyaka, Irek Moukhamedov
Glazunov: Raymonda
Glazunov - Raymonda / Bessmertnova, Vasyuchenko, Taranda, Zhuraitis, Bolshoi Ballet
Ballets Russes

ASIN: B000000AE5
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Introduction
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Scene 1
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - La Traditore
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Scene III
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Scene IV - Entree de Raymonda
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Grande Valse
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Pizzicato
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Reprise de la Valse
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Adagio
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Prelude et la Romanesca
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - La Romanesca
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Prelude et Variation
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Entr'acte
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Valse Fantastique
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Grand Adagio
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 1 - Valse Fantastique Coda
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Grand Pas d'action
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Variation 1
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Variation 2
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Variation 3
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Variation 4
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Grand Coda
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Spanish Dance
Raymonda Op.57 Music From The Ballet: Act 2 - Entr'acte

Amazon.com

Raymonda is an 1897 commission from the Imperial Theatre at St. Petersburg--commissioned by the same guy who commissioned Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker from Tchaikovsky. It's a medieval romance set in Provence, France, at the time of the Crusades; the beautiful maiden, Raymonda, is taken captive by a Saracen chief and is subsequently rescued by her crusading fiancé. This is all typical Russian-ballet stuff of the era, and it's not as thematically rich as Scheherazade. It is, however, filled with memorable moments and delightful orchestral flourishes. This is one of Glazunov's greater successes. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, tuneful ballet.......1999-10-20

Although Glazunov did not exhibit the genius of his mentor, Rimsky-Korsakov, he was a talented composer in his own right with a gift for pleasing melodies as well as striking orchestrations. Glazunov's three ballet scores are among his finest works. Of these "The Seasons" is probably the best -- a melodic gem throughout its relatively-short length. The longer "Raymonda," while not as consistently inspired as "The Seasons," contains much beautiful music that no lover of ballet -- or of Russian Romanticism -- should miss. This CD contains virtually all of the best music from "Raymonda" while ommitting the less-inspired parts. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Russian Ballet Favorites

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000014GK
Release Date: 1998-08-06

Tracks:

Gayane: Sabre Dance - Andre Anichanov
Raymonda: Grande valse-Pizzicato-Reprise de la valse - Alexander Anissimov
Raymonda: Prld et La Romanesca - Alexander Anissimov
Raymonda: Scene mimique - Alexander Anissimov
Raymonda: Grand adagio - Alexander Anissimov
Raymonda: Grand pas espagnol - Alexander Anissimov
Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia - Andre Anichanov
The Red Poppy: Coolies'-Dance - Andre Anichanov
The Red Poppy: Phoenix-Adagio - Andre Anichanov
The Red Poppy: Dance of the Chinese Women - Andre Anichanov
The Red Poppy: Russian Sailors' Dance - Andre Anichanov
Masquerade: Waltz - Andre Anichanov
Age Of Gold: Polka - Christopher Lyndon-Gee
Romeo and Juliet: Morning Dance - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Masks - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Montagues and Capulets (Dance of the Knights) - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Departure of the Guests (Gavotte) - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Balcony Scene - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Romeo's Var - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Love Dance - Andrew Mogrelia
Romeo and Juliet: Act II Finale - Andrew Mogrelia

Mravinsky Conducts Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Glinka, Glazunov

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Mravinsky Conducts Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Glinka, Glazunov

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009JE1
Release Date: 1992-07-07

Ballets Russes: Russian Dances and Ballets

Average customer rating:

Ballets Russes: Russian Dances and Ballets

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Ballets Russes

ASIN: B00011RULK
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

Polonaise (Oneguine)
Valse (Mascarade)
Polka (Age D'or)
Marche (3 Oranges)
Valse Des Fleurs (Casse-Noisett...)
Danse Du Sabre (Gayaney)
Entracte (Raymonda)
Danse De L'Amozone
Valse No. 2 (Jazz Suite)
Danse Des Chevaliers (Romeo Et Juliette)
Valse (Oneguine)
Tahiti-Trot (Tea For Two)
Valse-Fantaisie
Danses Polovtsiennes (Danse 1)
Danses Polovtsiennes (Danse 2)
Danses Polovtsiennes (Danse 3)
Danses Polovtsiennes (Danse 4)
Danses Polovtsiennes (Danse 5)

Amazon.com

This is a big, exciting CD made up of dance movements from different works: A polonaise from Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, the march from Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges, the Polovtsian Dances from Borodin's Prince Igor, and more. All of the repertoire is Russian and the French Orchestra and Russian Chorus (in the Borodin) make a splendid sound under the baton of Paavo Järvi. The Entr'acte from Glazunov's Raymonda is a hypnotically lovely oasis in the midst of so many foot-stomping--or at least waltz-inducing--selections, and a real treat is the rare "Dance of the Amazons" by Liadov, with its oriental flavor and spectacular, war-like, brass and percussion sections. And the Sabre Dance will have your heart pounding! The female chorus is particularly alluring. A fun release of great favorites. --Robert Levine

Average customer rating:

A dissapointing performance for great works

Glazunov: Symphony No. 6

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: I. Adagio-Allegro Passionato
Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: II.Tema Con Variazioni (Tema-Vars. 1-7)
Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: III. Intermezzo (Allegretto)
Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: IV. Finale (Andante Maestoso)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: Intro (Andante)-Scene (Lento Maestoso)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: La Traditore (Moderato-Allegretto)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: Scene (Allegro Agitato)-Entree De Raymonda (Allegro Giocoso-Adagio)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: Prld Et La Romanesca (Moderato)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: Prld Et Var (Allegretto)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: Entre'acte (Andante Sostenuto)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act One: Valse Fantastique (Allegretto)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act Two: Grand Pas D'action (Grand Adagio)(Andante)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act Two: DAnse Des Garcons Arabes (Vivace)
Raymonda, Op.57a Ste, Act Three: Entre'acte (Allegro Moderato-Andante)
Triumphal March, Op.40 - RPO/Yondani Butt

Customer Reviews:

A dissapointing performance for great works.......2001-09-07

This CD has been chosen by several critics in the UK like
the Penguin Guide as the best performance of Symphony 6 and
Raimonda Suite, some of the finest works of Glazunov that brought
him fame and world recognition.
Alas after listening carefully to the CD, I have found nothing
that will deserve this high esteem.
Yondani Butt has the reputation of innnovative style as a
conductor of many unknown and forgotten ouevres and with great success as in Goldmark's Rustic Wesdding Symphony and

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Mesto
III. Allegro
IV. Finale: Moderato Sostenuto-Allegro Moderato
I. Introduction
I. Salle Dans Le Chateau De Raymonda
II. La Traditrice
III. Une Fanfare Annonce L'Arrivee D'Un Etranger
IV. Entree De Raymonda
IV. Soir. Clair De Lune
IV. Prelude Et La Romanesca
IV. Prelude Et Variation
V. Entr'acte
VI. Valse Fantastique
VII. Grand Pas D'Action-Grand Adagio
VIII. Variation IV: Raymonda
IX. Danse Des Garcons Arabes
IX. Entree Des Sarrasins
X. Entr'acte: Triomphe De L'Amour Et Fete Nuptiale

Customer Reviews:

In Dealing with Glazunov's most profound utterance, Serebrier and his Orchestra go deep in the Symphony's troubled side........2005-11-03

As I've hoped (somewhat) in reviewing Serebrier's breathtakingly unique approaches to the great Russian's Fifth Symphony and "Vremena Goda" ("The Seasons") last year, Serebrier and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra comes up with the music for "Raymonda (not the full ballet score mind you, but the suite Alexander Glazunov arranged soon after he completed the music). Quite frankly, the recording of the suite is not entirely necessary since we still have Neemi Jarvi's more rounded version of it (and it still sounds great even now). With that said, the sweet-toothed delights of the music glows on Serebrier's performance especially in the `Salle dans le chateau de Raymonda' divertissement of Act I as well as in Entr'acte of Scene II. I think the harpist sounds a tad too distant and uninvolving in the Prelude et La Romanesca and Prelude et Variation movements. Nevertheless, there's alot of enjoyment and idiosyncrasies in their playing that thirty-minutes feels too short. The selected divertissements of Act II are likewise well done and I admire how poetic they are in Act III's Entr'acte "Triomphe de l'amour et fete nuptiale." I only wish that the coda that ends Act II would've been added and inserted right before the Entr'acte. Otherwise, although Jarvi has the edge, it's a pleasing half-hour worth of listening nonetheless.

The Eighth Symphony (1903-1905) is the main attraction, however, and the more I listen to this piece, the more I find its significance in Russian music (and music beyond Russia). It is to my mind the composer's most profound utterance, with the outer movements with some optimism though in ways that are not at all easy-going or as crystal clear. For example, listen to how the first movement begins confidently. But as the movement gets going, there's something troubling and disturbing in some of its articulacy. The level of optimism is not the same as, say, in his Fifth Symphony. Even the finale doesn't have the typical Glazunovian robustness (or rodomontade) that we're grown somewhat accustomed to (it took quite some time for it to become uplifting and even that isn't so easy going as well). Clearly the conditions and events of leading up to 1905 and beyond affected Glazunov perhaps to the point that he himself couldn't have foreseen. And you'll see that in the middle movements of the Symphony, which to my mind form the core, the very heart of the work. The gravity of anguish in the Mesto movement is profound (not as deep as in Tchaikovsky's Pathetique Symphony, but tellingly and compellingly sombre enough) and the climax, which reprises the beginning material of the movement, is remarkable for its depth and poignancy of despair. The Scherzo (a rondo in essence), likewise, has less charm than the previous scherzi of Glaznunov's symphonies (diabolical his adopted daughter Elena Glazunov-Gunther called it). It's quite menacing with its swirling passages of the strings especially towards the conclusion that's fierce in temperament. Serebrier and his Scottish forces go to the very skeleton of the work, relishing every troubling aspects of the work to convincing results. I do miss a slightly greater sense of gravity in places in the Mesto movement in ways Polyansky relinquishes in his Chandos recording (or Rozhdestvensky in the original Melodiya). Even in the first movement does Polyansky paints a darker side of it a tad more deeply than Serebrier. However, I am awed at the maestro's take of the Scherzo, which is warm yet highly electric while his approach of the finale is admirable (a questionable timpani playing at the ending though).

In all, an appealing album that is successfully recorded (more so than in the aforementioned Chandos), very well presented (with Andrew Huth's revelatory essay), and consistently and uniquely well-played throughout. It may not be the 'must have' album for every serious collector, but with Serebrier's idiomatic angles and approaches that yield other facets especially of the Symphony, it's quite difficult to imagine this album being pushed aside and ignored.

Extraordinary recording of the most beautiful Glazunov music.......2005-08-31

This is an extraordinary recording. To follow up on their brilliant recording of Glazunov's 5th Symphony and the complete ballet The Seasons, the Royal Scotts now give us this follow-up, which is even better, with far better sound, even more exciting performances and sharper balances. Obviously, this is a very carefully prepared production. Jose Serebrier proves once again that he is, as stated by the legendary Leopold Stokowski "the greatest master of orchestral balance". The Symphony No. 8, under his direction, becomes alive and a sure candidade for repertoire status. For any number of reasons, Glazunov has not been in the front-run of Russian composers, but if one listens to these and the previous Warner release, it becomes evident that these are brilliantly conceived, powerful works that just need musically exciting and accurate performances, as did Mahler for so long before his music joind the mainstream repertoire. Let's hope that Serebrier, the RSNO and Warner continue to champion this neglected composer.
David W. Sprague

Nina Kotova - Chopin, Faure, Falla, Glazunov, et al

Average customer rating:

Garbage
luxurious tone
wow!
Beautiful, Haunting and Lingers in the Mind
Sweet tone

Nina Kotova - Chopin, Faure, Falla, Glazunov, et al

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Nina Kotova: Concerto for Cello & Orchestra

ASIN: B00001IVPE
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Nocturne, Op. 19, No. 4 In D minor
Romance (Ne poi, Krasavitsa, Op. 4)
Elegie In D Flat, Op. 17 (Pensee a Liszt)
Etude, Op. 25, No. 7
Pouchka: Danse Russe
Elegie
Le Coq d'Or: Hymn To The Sun (Turkish Princess)
Sketches From The Catwalk: 1. Allegretto, ma non troppo
Sketches From The Catwalk: 2. Lento tranquillo
Sketches From The Catwalk: 3. Rubato - Marcia. allegro
Preludia, Op. 11, No. 1
Reminiscense
RAYMONDA: Entracte (To Scene II)
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Dark Blue: 1. Dark Blue
Dark Blue: 2. Melting Matters
Dark Blue: 3. Conversation Of Two
El Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance

Amazon.com

Described as "a major Russian prodigy," Nina Kotova, daughter of two musicians, had a promising musical beginning, but had to leave Russia and spent some years modeling and composing before returning to the cello. This debut recording proves that she is indeed very talented, but is designed mainly to display her tone, which is full and pure in every register and rather beautiful, if without much variation. The program consists of short pieces, mostly transcriptions, predominantly Russian and predominantly slow, sentimental, and melancholy. Kotova made many arrangements herself, presumably including the orchestrations, and there are also several of her own compositions. She describes the latter as representing real-life events and experiences; several contain elements of jazz and improvisation. The orchestrations throughout are full of color and sound effects, but seem more suitable as accompaniments for films than for concert pieces. The playing reflects the rather limited expression and mood of the music, and is clean, disciplined, and controlled. It will be interesting to see how this gifted player approaches a musically more substantial, varied program. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Garbage.......2002-10-17

This was my first exposure to Ms Kotova's work, and I have to say it does not inspire me to listen to her more. Perhaps I should have started with some other work of hers. The folks who glow about her tone, etc obviously have no exposure to REAL cellist. Suffice it to say, if you are a true classical music fan, run away from this garbage as fast as you can. If, on the other hand, you live by the brilliance of cHarlot Church, or Andrea Bocelli, then this is exactly the sort of thing for you. For those who sincerely want to hear what alternatives there are to this cellist, may I suggest anything by Janos Starker or Mischa Maisky, and Anner Bylsma for variety. THEN we can talk cello.

luxurious tone.......2002-02-08

I have the great pleasure of living in the city as Ms. Kotova,
Dallas, Texas. Although I do not know her well, her playing is
stunningly beautiful and this CD brings the best out in her. i
look forward to her next CD

wow!.......2001-11-14

What a gorgeous tone, expressive, delicate and powerful all at
once. I look forward to the next CD, hopefully concerto
repertoire.

Beautiful, Haunting and Lingers in the Mind.......2001-11-03

I bought Nina Kotova's debut CD after my parents mentioned how thrilled friends of theirs in Salt Lake City had been after attending one of her concerts. I played this CD two or three times a week for six months until other members of my household started pleading for more musical variety. I still put it on occasionally, and more often when I'm alone. It has a haunting quality to it, a sweet beauty and melancholy that linger in the mind long after the music is over. I have bought it as a gift to friends and family members, including a long-term houseguest of ours who practically requested it when she left. Kotova's life story is fascinating -- persecution, exile to two countries, further musical studies, modeling (!), etc., but the main theme in her life and that of her parents is love of music, and it shows on every track of this CD. It is a wonderful debut piece for a relatively young artist. I keep checking back here to see if she has come out with a new CD, and I look forward to hearing her over the years as she matures as an artist.

Sweet tone.......2001-07-27

I discovered Kotova through a Readers Digest article, and was intrigued, so I bought the disc. The many short selections of the cd is not enough to fully determine what she can bring to the great masterpieces. Based on the selections contained on the cd, one can immediately tell that she is a great cellist with a deep resonant tone. The standards, like Vocalise and Petroushka are well played. The other pieces have been orchestrated by Kotova, which makes the interpretation unique. I always enjoy hearing common pieces in new setting. Let's wait till Kotova tackles some warhorses, like the Shostakovich concerto, or the Bach concertos. If it's anything like her performances here, they will be welcomed by the classical community.

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Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) [CD-single] [Import] [Soundtrack]

Metalheadz Presents: The Winter of Content

Movie Hits, Vol. 1

Marvelous [Import]

Long Road [Limited Edition] [Import]

Magic [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Kathleen Battle & Jean-Pierre Rampal in Concert

Mosaic Select: Dave Liebman & Richie Beirach [Live]

Karaoke: Javier Solis [Karaoke]

Linea Dorada

Debussy Piano Works, Vol. 1

Welcome to Sky Valley