Search - Alexander Glazunov, Valery Polyansky, Russian State Symphonic Choir :: Alexander Glazunov: Second Symphony; Coronation Cantata

An overall good performance.

David A. Hollingsworth | Washington, DC USA | 03/25/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov (1865-1936) became a well-known composer since 1882 when his first symphony has its premiere. His stature grew continuously during his completion of the 2nd symphony (1884-1887). The premiere of the 2nd Symphony took place at the Paris Exhibition of 1889. Tchaikovsky along with Rimsky-Korsakov attended the performance & were generally impressed with the melodic, orchestral, communicative skills of the young composer.They were right. The symphony has the daringness & vigorism (like his 6th symphony) that were not often dublicated by the composer. The work is quite dramatic & very heroic. The andante mov't is very beautiful & slavic. A sense of tragedy is prevalent in the first 3 movements (the work was dedicated to the memory of Liszt & Borodin).The coronation cantata of 1895 was composed for the occasion of Tsar Nicholas II accession to the throne. The piece is altogether an attractive one, although it could have been more festive for the occasion. The performance for the Cantata was very good with a responsive Russian State Symphony under Polyansky. The singing of the soloists & the Russian State Symphonic Cappella were polished & sang with commitment & professionalism (a well known reputation of the Capella itself). The performance of the 2nd symphony was well played although the winds were lacking in places, especially the 1st movement. Only the Fedoseyev recording with the U.S.S.R. Radio & Television Symphony Orchestra offered more excitement, refinement, & drama required by this work (the recording available in VoxBox CDX 5118). Recording is overall very good, yet slightly dullish. Recommendable, but not my first choice."