Music

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Desert Island Disc!
Great way to exercise
Wow!
Strauss and Mussorgsky
Hybrid SACD Mussorgsky: Pirctures at an Exhibition, Night on Bald Mountain

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD]
Modest Mussorgsky , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Alexander Borodin , Dmitry Kabalevsky , Mikhail Glinka , and Fritz Reiner
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002TKFRM
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

Promenade
Gnomus
Promenade
Il Vecchio Castello
Promenade
Tuileries
Bydlo
Promenade
Ballet Of The Chicks In Their Shells
Samuel Goldenburg And Schmuyle
The Marketplace At Limoges
Catacombae, Sepulchrum Romanum
Con Mortuis In Lingua Mortua
The Hut On Fowl's Legs
The Great Gate At Kiev
Marche Miniature (From Suite No. 1 In D-Minor, Op. 43)
A Night On Bald Mountain - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Prince Igor: Polovtsian March
Marche Slave
Colas Breugnon, Op. 24: Overture
Russian And Ludmilla: Overture - Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Desert Island Disc!.......2007-06-20

This sacd is positively stunning. I am young. I was raised on gizmos, gadgets and hi-tech this and that...and for the life of me I can't understand how these engineers back in the 50's and 60's produced such astoundingly detailed recordings. With two or three mics for the hall and some tube equipment and wham...there you have it...a recording of impressively powerful pieces of music with enough separation and detail within the mix to keep the listener busy for hours and hours on end. That and the emotional wallop packed by this recording is second to none. Even if you have copies aplenty of Pictures, or Night on..., such as I do myself, please do not hesitate to pick up this recording as it is worth every dime. If you are looking for an interesting counterpoint to Reiner's reading of Pictures or Night pick of Jose Serebrier's recording on Naxos.

Great way to exercise.......2007-06-13

Such great music. Exercise and listening
to this one is a great combination.
Time seems to fly by and before you know
it. Times up!

Wow!.......2007-04-02

How can something older than me sound so good? The recording is top notch. Dont be fooled into thinking it is "just stereo", the ambience of symphony hall comes thru as though it were recorded in surround. Exquisite detail and perfect tempo. Timpani has realistic impact. And all the other music with Pictures makes this a real bargain!

Strauss and Mussorgsky.......2007-03-24

They sound good, without the 'edge' often associated with CDs. CDs are a Fourier Transform of the analog source - that is to say a subset of it.

Hybrid SACD Mussorgsky: Pirctures at an Exhibition, Night on Bald Mountain.......2007-01-14

Great value. Great performances. On my krell sacd player, I found small differences between the SACD layer and the regular. The recordings are outstanding. Consider the price and that this is a 2 lp set, this is a deal.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

Average customer rating:

Satisfying version of 'Pictures..'; liked album on the whole
Powerful music!
Timeless
Last movement of Pictures conducted too slow
Outstanding performance

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000025JN
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Old Castle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks
Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg And The Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Market Place At Limoges
Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombs: Roman Sepulchre
Pictures At An Exhibition: Cum mortuis in linqua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Little Hut On Chickens' Legs
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate Of Kiev
Night On Bald Mountain

Customer Reviews:

Satisfying version of 'Pictures..'; liked album on the whole.......2007-05-31

I had attended a SF Symphony performance which included "Pictures At An Exhibition" as orchestrated by Ravel. I was pleasantly suprised by how much I liked that piece taken as a whole. I have always thought highly of Bernstein's interpretation, and believed I would hear a nicely played and interpreted version of 'Pictures..' Indeed, the piece is executed as I thought it would. I like Bernstein's interpretation of 'Pictures At An Exhibition', and the album, on the whole, is worth the suggested price.

Powerful music!.......2007-01-27

I loved this CD. It is the same cover and everything as the record we had while I was growing up. In HS we actually marched to this! Wonderful memories and excellent recording.

Timeless.......2003-12-31

There are very few musical memories I have before the age of ten but "Pictures At An Exhibition" is one of them.
I was in bed putting off going to school when I saw this awsome ad for The United States Navy.
While showing scenes of eighteenth century battleships, they played this music. Nearly thirty years later, I still cant get it out of my head!

Last movement of Pictures conducted too slow.......2002-05-21

Hello,
I feel that Bernstein conducted the last movement of Pictures too slowly. It has a majesty and grace all it's own but in Bernstein's hands it slows to a jaunted crawl and looses some of the awe effect. Also the percussion is ever so slightly too loud in the end. I don't thing the tubular bells or gong were meant to be heard as much felt. Kind of a let down, but there's another version I'm used to hearing that set me up for this. Not sure what version that is, but I'll let ya know if I find out. The rest of "Pictures" is decent, and "Night" is great.
Phillip

Outstanding performance.......2001-05-03

Bernstein really captures the spirit of the music, from the light feel of the Unhatched chicks and the Market Place at Limoges, to the pure brawn of Bydlo, to the mysteriousness of the catacombs and the cum mortuis in liqua mortua, finishing it triumphantly with the great gate of Kiev. I've really enjoyed this production, and listen to it frequently.

Average customer rating:

Good selection
thunderous applause
Good Music at a Great Price
You will like this!
Good for the novice

25 Thunderous Classics

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
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Binding: Audio CD

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25 Classical Favorites
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ASIN: B00004Y6SQ
Release Date: 2000-09-05

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra (Sunrise) - R. Strauss
Mars (The Planets) - Holst
Overture 1812 - Tchaikovsky
Entry Of The Gladiadtors - Fucik
Sabre Dance - Khachaturian
Procession Of The Sardar - Ippolitov Ivanov
Night On Bald Mountain - Mussorgsky
Anvil Chor (II Trovatore) - Verdi
The Thunderer March - Sousa
Thunder & Lightening Polka - J. Strauss
Prelude To Act III : Lohengrin - Wagner
The Ride Of The Valkryies - Wagner
Montagues & Capulets (Romeo & Juliet Ballet Suite) - Prokofiev
The Storm: Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' - Beethoven
Rondeau - Edward Carroll
Overture: Fireworks Music - Handel
March To The Scaffold: Symphonie Fantastique - Berlioz
LesToreadors - Bizet
William Tell Overture: Finale - Rossini
Revolutionary Study - Abbey Simon
Fanfare For The Common Man - Copland
Sym No. 1 'Titan' IV Sturmisch Bewegt (Excerpt) - Mahler
Augurs Of Spring From Rite Of Spring - Stravinsky
Russian Dance From Petrouchka - Stravinsky
The Great Gate At Kiev From Pictures At An Exhibition - Mussorgsky

Customer Reviews:

Good selection.......2005-10-02

I bought this CD to use in my classroom as listening examples. I'm not just a super big fan of some of the performances, but they are all good and for the price you can't beat it. That's why I gave it 5 stars. It's worth more than it costs by far.

thunderous applause.......2005-08-31

This is a who's-who of great pieces of music you have heard all of your life, and never knew the names and stories! I listened to it over and over in the car and had my own concert! A friend borrowed it to add music to his Home Movies and it was perfect!

Good Music at a Great Price.......2004-03-06

I bought this CD mostly for "Entry of the Gladiators," which everyone will recognize as classic circus music. The performance on this CD (by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops) is the best available version of Entry of the Gladiators. The rest of the CD offers mostly excerpts of classical music.

You will like this!.......2004-02-19

I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection and some were better than others.

This CD is at the top of them all. They may be short, but not that short. Wondrous music.

I can almost guarantee that you will like this music.
Well worth the price!

Good for the novice.......2002-06-08

The recordings on this disc are pretty good. However, the editors selected only the *loud* parts, as indicated by the title. I was pretty disappointed to find that the pieces are, in many cases, edited to reflect the most famous themes, etc, instead of including the whole work. In general, I would recommend this to the classical music novice, or someone who wants to expand their knowledge of classical music in general. Those who already are familiar with these pieces will probably feel gypped.

Walt Disney's Fantasia: Remastered Original Soundtrack Edition

Average customer rating:

Mickey mouse on cover, elevator music for 70 year olds
Optical soundtrack recording limitations
Review of soundtrack Fantasia issues
Fantasia
low-fi fantasia

Walt Disney's Fantasia: Remastered Original Soundtrack Edition

Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001M4K
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - (by Bach)
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Chinese Dance
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The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Russian Dance
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Symphony No.6 ('Pastoral') Op.68: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No.6 ('Pastoral') Op.68: II. Andante Molto Mosso
Symphony No.6 ('Pastoral') Op.68: III. Allegro/IV. Allegro/V. Allegretto
Dance Of The Hours (From The Opera 'La Gioconda')
A Night On Bald Mountain
Ave Maria Op.52 No.6

Amazon.com essential recording

It's hard to believe now that Walt Disney's bold 1940 impressionistic experiment in wedding then-state-of-the-art animation with classical music was a rather resounding failure upon its release. The cliché proves the rule: Fantasia was decades ahead of its time (Disney even launched a "psychedelic"-themed rerelease campaign in the late '60s). It's even harder to fathom that then-Disney management spent over a million dollars in the early '80s replacing the muscular Leopold Stokowski score with a digitally recorded clone, then another undisclosed fortune to digitize Leo and put him back alongside Mickey at the conductor's podium in the '90s! This much-traveled Stokowski score will gain no points for subtlety (a symphonic Shaq attack is more like it), but it was Walt's first--and only!--choice and has never sounded better. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Mickey mouse on cover, elevator music for 70 year olds.......2007-06-04

I bought it a couple of years ago looking at the cover but was extremely disappointed when my 18-month old insisted on "Mickey" today and I chucked it into my DVD player. Our baby started crying aloud suggesting "what is this rap?" Disney folks ought to know better not try and market elevator music for 70-year olds to little toddlers regardless of how fantasia the cover looks like!

Optical soundtrack recording limitations.......2007-03-05

The soundtrack recordings for "Fantasia" were provided
to the theaters of 1940 as optical tracks on the side
of the film being shown. Such recordings cannot be
compared to the magnetic tape recordings made after WWII
(using captured or "liberated" German machines at first),
to say nothing of the current digital technology.

An analog optical soundtrack on motion picture film was
bad enough, but the film itself was nitrate, notorious
for disintegrating over a relatively short period of time,
as well as for its flammability. The prints in
circulation wore out until "the sound had gotten so bad,
theaters were refusing to book the film" according to a
Disney spokesman quoted in the New York Times of March
11, 1982.

Stokowski knew what a difference stereo recording made,
compared to mono, because almost a decade earlier, he and
the Philadelphia Orchestra participated (without the
players' knowledge) in a series of experimental high
fidelity and stereo disc recordings made by Bell
Telephone Labs. At the time, Bell Labs and Western
Electric tried to interest several manufacturers of
phonographs in the new technology, but the Great
Depression was underway, and the idea of marketing
phonographs with two stylii and two loudspeakers was
deemed unfeasible. (The Bell system had 33-1/3 rpm
discs with two parallel grooves, requiring two stylii
for playback.)

The Fantasound process, as I understand it, required a
theater to install a single loudspeaker behind the screen
and three loudspeakers along each of the two side walls,
resembling somewhat today's "surround sound." But the
idea was not to produce true stereo sound, but rather
the "ping-pong" stereo concept, with the sounds from the
loudspeakers following the cartoon characters as they
moved back and forth across the screen.

I sometimes wonder if the original recordings were made
with discs, not on soundtrack film -- in which case they
might still exist somewhere in the Disney archives. The
many thousands of original cartoon animation cels used to
create the film images were not treated as archival
material, such as the original Technicolor negatives
of "Gone With The Wind" which were stored in underground
Kansas caves, where the temperature remained steady for
decade after decade. Instead, the cels were either
destroyed or individually distributed to interested
parties. All told, it's remarkable that the film and
soundtrack have survived almost seventy years in the
shape they're in.

Stokowski was not thrilled with the end product
of "Fantasia" because, reportedly, Disney engineers
played with his recording, snipping off beats to match
the animation and enhancing crescendos. Stravinsky --
the only composer represented who was still living at
the time -- also was appalled at Stokowski's rearrangement
of his work (which Stravinsky sold to Disney for $5,000
because he needed the money at the time), to say nothing
of the dinosaurs prancing about to his ballet. The 1940
audiences were either outraged (the purists), puzzled or
bored (the general public), or snickering that Disney
had "lost it" (the film industry). But some of us loved it.

Yet "Fantasia," like "The Rite of Spring," proved far
more durable than its critics could imagine. At the
time, I was familiar with the music of Beethoven's Sixth
Symphony, Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker", Bach's "Ave Maria,"
and even Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours," but "The Rite
of Spring," and "The Sorceror's Apprentice," and "Night on
Bald Mountain" as well as Bach's "Toccata and Fugue" were
revelations for me. I didn't know then that Stokowski
tinkered with those scores, but now I have a large number
of various performances of all of them in my recording
collection. My "Fantasia" recordings were issued on LPs
in the 1970s and are treasured as historic artifacts.

In effect, that is what this two-CD album is. It's a
mistake to listen to it as performances comparable to
modern digital recordings. Enjoy them for what they are
- historical efforts to popularize classical music.

Richard Q. Hofacker, Jr., Basking Ridge, NJ

Review of soundtrack Fantasia issues.......2007-02-16

Thanks to the other reviewers for honest opinions on sound quality of this product issue. The FANTASIA soundtrack deserved better, and fortunitely, I once bought a 2-volume cassette edition of Fantasia, remastered original soundtrack edition, purchased at Tomorrowland souvenir shop at Disneyland back in 1990. Still have it, in great condition box set, and even the new boom boxes sold in todays market, feature cassette and cd play. Muchos grac!

Fantasia.......2007-01-10

I am satisfied that the CD is of the original production of Fantasia, which I feel is superior to the current DVD. I hope that a DVD version of the original version will be made available at some time. The sound quality leaves a little to be desired, however.

low-fi fantasia.......2007-01-10

I was disapointed with the low-fi recording. I realize the soundtrack is from the 1940's, but I assumed it has been re-mastered. Rather muddy sound.

Average customer rating:

If only we had more "tyrants" like this one.
This orchestra really is a cut above
"White"/Background Noise Problem
Fritz Reiner Conducting- Chicago Symphony
Wicked!

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Manufacturer: RCA
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

$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000003FMY
Release Date: 1994-03-15

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Il vecchio castello
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: Bydlo
Picutres At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet of the Chicks in Their Shells
Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenburg and Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhitibition: The Marketplace at Limoges
Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombae, sepulchrum romanum
Picturest At An Exhibition: Con mortuis in lingua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Hut on Fowl's Legs
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate at Kiev
Marche miniature (From Suite No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 43)
A Night On Bald Mountain
Prince Igor: Polovtsian March
Marche Slave
Colas Breugnon, Op. 24: Overture
Russian And Lucmilla: Overture

Customer Reviews:

If only we had more "tyrants" like this one........2007-05-16

The only comparable orchestra to Reiner's late fifties Chicago Leviathan was another Midwestern ensemble a few hundred miles to the east in Cleveland (also commanded by an expatriate Hungarian Jewish maestro).

It's a toss up over which orchestra was better, but this disc features ensemble playing of such overwhelming strength and authority that I can hardly think of a Szell/Cleveland recording that tops it, especially since the RCA Living Stereo sound is far better than the shabby sonics of Columbia/Sony.

Glinka's "Russlan and Ludmilla: Overture" alone is worth the unbelievably low admission price. The orchestra is simply on fire and it was captured in fabulous fifties sound that hasn't aged.

If a little tape hiss puts you into a hissy fit then by all means avoid this disc. (And also avoid those musty old paintings in the Prado and the Metropolitan.) Otherwise just buy it and crank up the volume to something approaching the hundred-plus decibels Reiner heard as the CSO burned onto tape one of the finest recordings in the history of classical music.

This orchestra really is a cut above.......2007-03-06

From the moment the brass open the Promenade, it's instantly apparent just how flawless and precisely this orchestra plays. This is the most perfect intonation I have heard on any recording, ever. I have to agree with other reviewers in saying that even being 50 years old, this recording sounds better than a lot of recent CDs I own. Everything is unbelievably crisp and clear. Congratulations to Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for an amazing job.

I should mention though, the previous reviewer is right, there IS tape hiss throughout the CD. It isn't loud and I for one don't find it irritating, but it is more noticable than on other recordings I have. The liner notes also explain it- "to preserve the quality of the source material during transfer, we rejected any process by which tape hiss or other minor imperfections in the source material could be minimized at the expense of the original musical program's sonic integrity". I am glad at this choice.

All in all, an absolutely fantastic version of one of the great masterpieces of the 19th century. At the absurdly low price of $7.95, I don't see any reason to pass this one up.

"White"/Background Noise Problem.......2007-01-15

I was very excited when I found this recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition," however I have been slightly disappointed. Musically the performance is amazing, and is without a doubt the best that I have ever heard. Unfortunately, there is a lot of background/"white" noise in the recording that becomes very noticeable especially in the softer moments of the piece. It's almost like hearing nails on a chalkboard.

This "white" noise goes away by turning the volume down, however the music suffers from this as well. I have not had this problem with other CDs/recordings.

Fritz Reiner Conducting- Chicago Symphony .......2007-01-05

Fritz Reiner brings out the best in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition with full clear presentations of each section of the piece. The clarity of the recording is just great.

Wicked!.......2006-09-27

im doing the ' pictures at an exhibition ' in music and its a fabulous peice of music ! so peaceful but exciting at the same time !!! 100 *'z lol x

Bach: Matthaus-Passion (St Matthew Passion) BWV 244 /Bostridge * Selig * Rubens * Scholl * Gura * Henschel * Collegium Vocale * Herreweghe (+CD-Rom)

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
a voice teacher and early music fan
The True Drama of the St. Matthew Passion
My favorite too!
Excellent work - but problems with sound level

Bach: Matthaus-Passion (St Matthew Passion) BWV 244 /Bostridge * Selig * Rubens * Scholl * Gura * Henschel * Collegium Vocale * Herreweghe (+CD-Rom)
Collegium Vocale Gent
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Kommt, ihr Toechter, helft mir klagen
Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte
Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester / Ja nicht auf das fest / Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien / Wozu dienet dieser Unrat / Da das Jesus merkete
Du lieber Heiland du
Buss und Reu
Da ging hin der Zwoelfen einer
Blute nur, du liebes Herz
Aber am ersten Tage der suessen Brot / Wo willst du, dass wir dir bereiten / Er sprach: Gebet ihn in die Stadt / Un sie wurden sehr betrubt / Herr, bin ich's
Ich bin's, ich sollte buessen
Er antwortete und sprach:
Wiewohl mein Herz in Traenen schwimmt
Ich willdir mein Herze schenken
Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten
Erkenne mich, mein Hueter
Petrus aber antwortete
Ich will hier bei dir stehen
Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe
O Schmerz! hier zittert das gequaelte Herz
Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen
Und ging hin ein wenig
Der Heiland faellt vor seinem Vater nieder
Gerne will ich mich bequemen
Und er kam zu seinen Juengern
Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh' allzeit
Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend
So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen / Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden
Und siehe, einer aus denen
O Mensch, bewein' dein Suende gross

Tracks:

Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin
Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten
Mir hat die Welt trueglich gericht't
Und wiewold viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten
Mein Jesus schweigt zu falschen Luegen stille
Geduld, Geduld!
Und der Hohepriester antwortete / Er ist des Todes schuldig / Da speieten sie aus in sein Angesicht / Weissage uns, Christe
Wer hat dich so geschlagen
Petrus aber sass draussen im Palast / Wahrlich, du bist auch einer von denen
Erbarme dich
Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen
Das Morgens aber heilten alle Hohenpriester / Was gehet uns das an / Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel
Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder
Sie heilten aber einen Rat
Befiehl du deine Wege
Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger / Lass in kreuzigen!
Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe
Der Landpfleger sagte
Er hat uns allen wohlgetan
Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben
Sie schrieen aber noch mehr / Lass in kreuzigen! / Da aber Pilatus sahe / Sein Blut komme uber uns / Da gab er ihnen Barrabam los
Erbarm es Gott
Koennen Traenen meiner Wangen

Tracks:

Da nahmen Kriegsknechte / Gegruesset seist du, Judenkoenig / Und speieten ihn an
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten
Ja! freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut
Komm, suesses Kreuz
Und da sie an die Staette kamen / Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst / Desgleichen auch die Hohenpreister / Andern hat er geholfen / Desgleichen schmaeheten ihn
Ach, Golgatha, unsel'ges Golgatha
Sehet Jesus hat die hand
Und von der sechsten Stunde / Der rufet dem Elias / Und bald lief einer unter ihnen / Halt, lass sehen / Aber Jesus schriee abermals laut
Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden
Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriss / Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen / Und es waren viel Weiber da
Am Abend da es kuehle war
Mache dich, mein Herze, rein
Und Joseph nahm den Leib / Herr, wir haben gedacht / Pilatus sprach zu ihnen
Nun ist der Herr zu Ruh gebracht
Wir setzen uns mit Traenen nieder

Amazon.com essential recording

The St. Matthew Passion, Bach's monumental retelling of the story of the Last Supper and the arrest and execution of Jesus, typically runs from two-and-a-half to three hours. Yet this performance makes the time... well, not exactly fly past (consider the subject matter), but it's not tedious for even a second. Much of the credit for this goes to the marvelous Evangelist, Ian Bostridge. He's an outstanding narrator: the clear tone and diction, skillful timing, and intense involvement with words that made him a famous lieder singer are all in evidence; his part consists of nothing but recitative, yet he holds your interest unfailingly. Franz-Josef Selig gives a more dramatic reading of Jesus than you usually hear these days--he may be a bit too "operatic" for some listeners, but he really communicates his character's very human anguish and sorrow. Similarly, soprano Sibylla Rubens, tenor Werner Güra, and bass Dietrich Henschel sometimes unleash a bit too much vibrato for some tastes, but their singing is full-throated and attractive and they're very sensitive to the nuances in the text and music. Superstar countertenor Andreas Scholl is the standout--he combines unearthly purity with very earthly feeling and blends beautifully with the baroque instruments. The real stars of the record, however, are Philippe Herreweghe and his remarkable choir and orchestra. This conductor and his musicians (especially his radiant choir, Collegium Vocale) have always been superb at conveying warmth, devotion, and contemplation, but intense joy, anguish, or anger have sometimes seemed beyond them. Not here: they cover the full emotional range of this work--from reverent reflection to anguished remorse to churning fury--without ever crossing the line into melodrama or sacrificing clarity.

On top of all this, you get a CD-ROM chock full of interesting and well-organized information (in English, German, and French): texts as well as an overview with a timeline of Bach's life, a discussion of how the work is put together, marvelous graphics, sound clips, and an extensive interview with Herreweghe himself. A superb accompaniment to a superb release. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-02-03

Do not hesitate for a moment to purchase this CD/CD ROM package. I researched thoroughly the many recordings of this work, and I am very pleased to have decided on this one. It is a gorgeous, moving recording.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-01-08

Bach (1685-1750), a Lutheran, was specifically asked by St. Thomas' Church, Leipzig, to supply a non-theatrical Passion. In this context passion stands for the act of passive suffering, of watching and occasonally empathising in the suffering of Christ, a development which began in the Middle Ages when the church took steps to popularise the Bible. When sung, the role of the Evangelist would be taken by a tenor and that of Jesus by a bass. As various instruments were added they began to be associated with certain roles and as with opera any dramatic action in the text occurred during the recitative. The chorus has two functions: to participate in the action and then to reflect upon it, such reflections provided by the chorales which were familiar Lutheran hymns.
The St. Matthew Passion was composed for the Good Friday service at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig in 1727. As time went on Bach revised and added other pieces and subsequently this Passion became the grandest and the largest of his works. He used a Double Chorus, included a third soprano group for the opening and close of Part One, two orchestras split so that they either accompanied the first or the second chorus, four soloists who carry specific parts and a number of other singers who have other roles. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 26 and 27 plus traditional Lutheran chorales and meditative poems (by Henrici also known as Picander) provide the text.The Evangelist narrates the action scene by scene.
Although the work as a whole is somewhat heavy and sombre there are some lighter moments to treasure, and none more delightful than the soprano aria in Part One "Ich will dir mein Herze schenken" (I will give my heart to Thee). Part two contains the best known and loved aria from the work "Erbarme dich,mein Gott" (Have mercy, my God) for alto and violin obligato and pizzicato bass. The death is terse but dramatic as is the earthquake following with the heartrending crying "Walrlich dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen" (Truly this was the Son of (God). It all ends with a Sarabande-like chorale bidding Jesus to rest in peace.
The packageing of this edition is outstanding; the booklet includes absolutely all the documentation that one may need to fully comprehend this monumental work of Bach's. In addition, the the 3 CD's, there is a CD-Rom that explains the entire procedure for the production of this recording (in 3 languages:French,English and German).
The performance itself is excellent and beyond reproach. Ian Bostridge is all that one would desire in a tenor Evangelist; a joy just to hear his voice. Andreas Scholl gives one of the most emotional performances I have ever heard from him; he tends to be somewhat 'laid-back' in some renditons, but not in this one. Just my opinion; all you Scholl fans, don't get excited!!!!!I suggest you allow yourself an entire day to explore this wonderful musical experience.

The True Drama of the St. Matthew Passion.......2006-04-11

There are gratefully many recordings of Bach's great St. Matthew Passion from which to choose, and the approaches to this long and mighty work of inspiration are varied. While this listener cut his teeth of the old Klemperer recording now re-mastered from the LP days to CD, this recording under the sensitive and commanding control of Philippe Herreweghe has become the recording most favored for return listenings, especially during the Holy Week. Herreweghe obviously knows the work from intense study, a fact that gives him all the stamina to make the overall Passion work both musically and dramatically.

Herreweghe draws sumptuous playing from his Collegium Vocale Orchestra and Chorus, keeping the period sound intact while adding the contemporary trend for finding the operatic aspects of the work in the lead of all the other recordings. Of course he has an extraordinary group of soloists who give definitive performances. The leading actor is the Evangelist who guides us through the arrest and assassination the Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew: Ian Bostridge not only has a beautiful tenor voice, rich and warm, but he also offers perfect enunciation of the text and delivers his comments with the exact amount of propelling drama. The role of Jesus is strongly delivered by Franz-Josef Selig and matches his competition (Fischer-Dieskau, Quasthoff and Goerne included!) in conveying both the agony and the transcendence of Bach's lines.

Add to this strong matrix the exquisite singing of Andreas Scholl and the solo work by Sibylla Rubens, Werner G?ra, Dietrich Henschel, Dominik Worner, Elisabeth Hermans, Susan Hamilton and Frits Vanhulle and the beauty of the drama is perfect. This is truly the most dramatic performance of Bach's most dramatic Passion and one to cherish for years. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 06

My favorite too!.......2005-09-17

I own six different St. Matthew Passion recordings, and this is my favorite. Herrweghe gets it right. I am not a stickler for HIP, but prefer it. In my opinion this is the most balanced high quality HIP treatment of the St. Matthew available. Get it!

Excellent work - but problems with sound level.......2005-05-29

I have no complaints about the performance, with the exception of two points: (1) the bass can at times sound too sharp and loud; (2) there is a bit of showing off, desire to impress the listener. Otherwise the work is awesome, but I am irritated by the recording quality. I thought that I would get used to it, but as I continue to listen to it, it irritates me more and more. The sound level is unequal. It is either too low, or annoyingly too high. I simply cannot just turn on the CD and listen through without adjusting volume levels all the time. Music becomes too quiet, then it bursts into sudden loudness, sharp, unpleasant sounds, which is extremely vexing. This is the main reason for my not listening to this recording more often. To add insult to injury, the bonus CD does not work on my computer, but freezes and muddles up. If I knew about this, I wouldn't have bought these CDs. Fortunately, I have also Herreweghe I, which I prefer to this one. But my all time favourite is - HARNONCOURT.

Average customer rating:

Classic Scary Music
Classical and great
Great collection, but they missed one
The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album
Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!

Classics from the Crypt

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Halloween Hits
Chiller
Very Scary Music: Classic Horror Themes
Fright Night: Music that Goes Bump in the Night
Halloween Howls

ASIN: B000003FAI
Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Danse Macabre
Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
Night On Bald Mountain
Symphonie Fantastique - March To The Scaffold - Georges Pretre
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - In The Hall Of The Mountain King
Mephisto Waltz - Fritz Reiner
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Symphonie Fantastique - Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath - Georges Pretre

Customer Reviews:

Classic Scary Music.......2007-01-10

If you're looking for classic haunted castle type scary music, this is a good CD.
Used this in a haunted maze in our basement, and it helped freak the kids out fairly well.

Classical and great.......2006-11-28

A must-have for your Halloween music collection. Different and strong, the music will definitely get you in the Halloween mood. I played it on my stereo while answering the door to trick-or-treaters. It made me feel "oh-so-spooky" and festive.

Great collection, but they missed one.......2006-06-10

An excellent compilation of the darker side of classical music, although I would have preferred a different rendition of Toccata and Fugue in D (New York Philharmonic perhaps), it's still quite good.

But how could the series producer leave off Ravel's Pavane For a Dead Princess? It's preferable to Symphonie Fantastique - March to The Scaffold, plus Berlioz already makes an appearance with Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. If there was room, Verdi's Requiem would have been a nice addition too.

So I have to go with 4 stars only.

The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album.......2005-10-17

What better way to celebrate Halloween than by throwing a party and popping this recording on the stereo. This is classical music with a Halloween theme. Conductors Eugene Ormandy and George Pretre (whom I would have never believed did this kind of stuff) conducts classical music with a dark and Gothic twist. The cover is attrative- a cartoon drawing of the Phantom of the Opera playing on his organ. The first track is Bach's Toccata and Fugue for organ in D minor. It is genuinely considered a Halloween piece, and has been associated with such films as Dracula. The malevolent sound of the Toccata (the opening chords) are especially memorable. Danse Macabre was Saint Saen's ode to Halloween and it is a devilish waltz for violin. Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette became famous for the theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky was used in Disney's Fantasia, in the last segment and is very frightening and brisk. Lisz's Mephisto Waltzes are piano pieces that evoke a wild frenzy but I find nothing dark about it. It is difficult music to play however. The music of Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique utilizes many horror themes. In the Romantic Era, Gothic lore spread and such figures as Mary Shelley and Bram Stroker would write novels of Gothic horror -Frankenstein and Dracula. In the Symphony Fantastique, a young man falls in love with an elusive woman. He imagines she is unfaithful to him and then has a disturbing dream in which she is a witch in a coven. Then he is marched to a scaffold and beheaded. The music is very compelling and dark. All the music here is great to listen to on Halloween and the conductors and orchestra play them well. A must have.

Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!.......2005-10-16

I love Classical music, it is one of my favorite styles of music and I also like Halloween and scary movies, etc, I bought this CD because I heard, In The Hall of the Mountain King, Night on Bald Mountain, Dance Macabre and Funeral March of a Marionette and I liked them. Dance Macabre was used in a season 4 episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called Hush. Also Funeral March of a Marionette was used as the theme for Alfred Hitchock Presents. All of these pieces are great and I also liked Tocata & Fuge in D minor. This CD with it's spooky sounding classical music is great for playing on Halloween but can really be listened to anytime and not just on Halloween and I highly recommend it!

Moussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain/Pictures at an Exhibition

Average customer rating:

This CD sucks!
VERY GOOD
Glorious Russian Masterpiece
The Mightiest of the Handful!
What else is there to say?

Moussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain/Pictures at an Exhibition

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op 32
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Capriccio Espagnol
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite; Borodin: Music from Prince Igor
Symphonie Fantastique
Bernstein Century - Copland: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, etc / Bernstein, New York PO

ASIN: B000003CSH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Night On Bald Mountain
Pictures At An Exhibition

Amazon.com essential recording

This was one of the recordings that put Telarc on the musical map, and first revealed the potential of digital recording technology to millions of music lovers and stereo buffs. It's still one of the very finest recordings of "Pictures" around, both as sound and performance. Lorin Maazel maintained the high standards of execution that George Szell inculcated during his quarter century in Cleveland, and for sheer hair-trigger precision, the playing is simply unbeatable. In addition, Telarc captured the performance in what was then and remains demonstration-quality sound, with the famous bass drum thwacks putting a practically subsonic foundation on the whole enterprise. Still a classic. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

This CD sucks!.......2006-03-05

I regret buying this CD. I thought it would be a great CD after reading all the rave reviews in Amazon. I bought it because Maazel is coming to Kuala Lumpur to conduct the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and "Pictures at an Exhition" is part of the programme.

First off, it is very much overpriced. All in, there is less than 41 minutes of music and the CD is thus very expensive (what do you expect from the TELEARC label?).

Secondly, you cannot really visualize all the different "pictures". This piece, the main piece, which is about 30 minutes long, lacks precision and energy, and sounds boring.

Conclusion:

Don't buy this CD.

Get the one by George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra from Sony Classical's Essential Classics series. Total time here is 73.44 minutes. Szell is precise and energetic. Unlike Maazel's CD, where all the pictures are lumped into one track (you cannot jump from one picture to another), the pictures in this CD are all on different tracks. In addition, it includes Zoltan Kodaly's Hary Janos Suite (an interesting piece of music) as well as Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite. All the pieces were very well played. And it's dirt cheap.

I have no vested interests. Don't be a fool like me. Get Szell if you want a better "Pictures at an Exhition" CD.

VERY GOOD.......2005-10-14

Sorry for my very bad english i'm a person from SPAIN (Europe). I have about of 32 discs of this compositor and of course of this tittle, I believe that the offer from TELARC is a copy that the old
direct to disc record in vinyl (I'm a affortunetly man that I have it). Anyway super the disc (it is one os my prefers). Congratulations to TELARC.

Glorious Russian Masterpiece.......2005-09-28

The Telarc label should feel indebted to this particular recording, for that label became famous because of it. Lorin Maazel conducting the Cleveland Orchestra is masterful and strong, bringing out the Russian fire and majesty in this work. Moussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain and Pictures At An Exhibition is his best work and are popular concert pieces. On this recording, the music is bursting with life and richness. Moussorgsky's music was heavily criticized by his contemporary, the more elegant and romantically inclined Tchaikovsky, who dubbed his music, "brutal and ugly". But even Tchaikovsky had to concede that Pictures at an Exhibition was beautiful. The Great Gate At Kiev, with its regal, sonorous trumpet section and stirring string section, is among his most beautiful pieces ever. The famous Night on Bald Mountain is best remembered for its prominent use in Walt Disney's 1940 film Fantasia, in the last segment in which ghouls, ghosts and spirits come to dance on top of the Russian mountain with a great winged Devil. Their revelry is interrupted by the cracking of dawn. This music is primal, frightening and compelling. Maestro Lorin Maazel is still an active conductor eventhough he is quite old (80's ? 90's ?)and conducts music at Lincoln Center in New York City frequently. Maazel's orchestration of this work is expert and unsurpassed. His famous temper has subsided of course but it was his moods and perfectionism that got him in trouble with the Cleveland Orchestra (still one of America's finest orchestras) but he was supplanted by an even more noteworthy conductor that shaped the orchestra to what it is today- the famous Geoge Szell. But Maazel's musical genius is evident in every part of this music. I highly recommend this recording for serious fans of classical music.

The Mightiest of the Handful!.......2004-11-24

I'll not repeat any of the high-brow aspects that all the other reviewers have written. Good on 'em, I say! I first heard this piece as a young musician. It has been a favorite all my life.

Pictures at an Exhibition, even after Rimsky-Korsakov re-arranged it, is simply wonderful. Don't be put off by all the pretention of some reviewers. Listen to the tracks. If the piece does not move you deep in your soul, you may be in dire need of spiritual and/or medical attention.

What else is there to say?.......2004-07-04

What is that saying? Oh, yeah: "Everything that can be said has been said. It just hasn't been said by everyone yet."

This was the first CD I bought. In fact, I bought it a couple of years before I was finally able to buy my first CD player (they were really expensive).

I was a stereo salesman in those bygone days. I've always felt I owed Maazel, Telarc, the Cleveland Orchestra, et al, a commission for all the money I made simply playing this recording for my custoemrs and shutting up.

And now more than a quarter century has gone by. I no longer sell stereo equipment (thank God), CD players cost about the same as a two Big Macs, the world has fallen apart and been patched back together so many times I've lost count, and this is still the best damned reason for digital stereo I've ever heard.

If you don't own it you should. If you do own it you already know why.

Average customer rating:

An enchanting, surprisingly personal 'Pictures'--one of the great ones

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; The Firebird Suite (1919)
Bernstein Century - Copland: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, etc / Bernstein, New York PO
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD]
The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)

ASIN: B0002J58QA
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Customer Reviews:

An enchanting, surprisingly personal 'Pictures'--one of the great ones.......2006-06-16

Two things conspired to keep me from discovering this one-of-a-kind 'Pictures at an Exhibition' sooner. First, there are enough great recordings to go around from Reiner, Karajan, Stokowksi--name your own. Second, I assumed that Bernstien would conduct this thrice-familiar piece simply as a commercial duty. I was wrong: this is the most personal performance among the great ones. Bernstein has ideas and feelings in every section, and with the NY Phil. at its virtuosic best, the whole thing is an enchanting discovery.

Bernstein's secret is that he goes to the heart of the music rather than just conducting Ravel's brilliant orchestration. As a result, we feel we are looking at separate paintings on the wall, just as Mussorgsky intended, each with its own flavor, more often than not tinged with melancholy (after all, Mussorgsky's artist friend had died). Compared to this account, all the others I own seem a bit shallow and glittery--this one is pure soul.

The sound is impeccable in the current remastering, and this time around we get as fillers a thrilling Night on Bald Mountain that gives Stokowski's a run for its money, plus a Respighi Pines of Rome crackling with electricity (but in rather shrill sound).

Famous as Bernstein is, I feel I'm recommending an underdog here, because the British critics have totally overlooked these readings. Most listeners automatically reach for Reiner's famous accounts of all three works. I hope there's room for Bernstein, because his performances have more musical excitment to offer.

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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Similar Items:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
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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.

Overall, this CD provides some good synergy from a fairly random assortment of orchestras. Though there are plenty of superior individual performances of Borodin on other CDs, it's tough to find this well-rounded quality anywhere else.

Music:

Music