This is one of those “voice crying in the wilderness” reviews, because I know perfectly well that no one takes Rimsky-Korsakov very seriously these days, and no matter how beautifully the orchestra plays, how excitingly Bakels conducts, and how magnificently they are recorded, few will credit a performance of Russian music coming from Malaysia, particularly at full price. But the fact remains: this has been a sensational series, and this latest release offers sonically splendorous readings of gloriously colorful, attractive music. It deserves your attention and will handsomely repay the investment, because, while it may not be the deepest musical experience, it’s hugely enjoyable and, most importantly, eminently repeatable. You’ll play this disc often, I promise.
Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera suites hardly ever appear on concert programs anymore, and what a pity! Christmas Eve is a magical score, even if the opening goes on a bit too long. It contains one of Rimsky’s most ebullient polonaises, and the orchestration truly sparkles. The same is true of The Snow Maiden–and my goodness how this crew attacks the popular concluding Dance of the Tumblers! The Overture on Russian Themes features two well-known tunes, one used in the Coronation Scene in Boris Godunov (as also in Beethoven’s Rasumovsky Quartets), the other in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Look folks, if you really care about music and sound, all I can say is grab this disc and give it a listen. It is wholly delightful, and there are no finer performances of this music available. [5/24/2006]
