Search - Alexander Borodin, Ernest Ansermet, L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande :: Borodin: Polovtsian Dances/Symphony Nos.2 & 3

Great selection, not perfect execution

07/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recently, I heard many of the pieces on this disc being used as the background music for a movie that Mystery Science Theater 3000 covered ("Fire Maidens of Outer Space," MST3k episode 416). I discovered that from somewhere, I already knew and loved this music and very much wanted it. So I did a search [...], knowing that in particular I was looking to include the Polovtsian Dances No.s 8 and 17. All of the discs I found with these pieces, tended to be among compilations of composers (instead of the all-Borodin I was looking for). I found a few fantastic-seeming Borodin collections, but they were long out of print. When I discovered this particular disc and joyfully examined all the samples it contained, I knew this was what I was looking for, ordered it [...], and was pleased to receive it very promptly. My only confusion lies in something I could swear I hear throughout the disc which I couldn't -- and still can't -- hear in my laptop speakers with the downloaded samples. I could swear for the first time ever, I've heard a professional orchestra with some members who don't quite get the right note even when their instruments are prominent? I admit I am very picky about pitch, but I've never before had that problem with classical discs I've picked up. If you are not really picky about pitch, I can recommend this disc wholeheartedly, as a 5. The sound is good, and the overall dynamics are good, and if you are considering this disc you probably love the music already. If you are distracted by flatted notes and poor blending, it's probably more of a 3. But I am still very glad to have the disc."