Search - Kabalevsky, Leningrad Philharmonic :: Dmitri Kabalevsky 5

The works of substance, emotionalism, tradegy, then hope.

David A. Hollingsworth | Washington, DC USA | 04/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dmitri Borisovich Kabelevsky (1904-1987) was long remembered mostly as an innovative pedagogue & the one who sought to upgrade the curriculum so as to enhance music education for the youth. During his career as a composer, he wrote many pieces for children (Cello Concerto no 1, Piano Concerto no. 3, Violin Concerto, song "School Years, & so forth). His Operas were well known in Soviet Russia whereas his orchestral works were most notable in the West. Like Vainberg, Shostakovich, Boiko, Myaskovsky, Khachaturian, Popov, Shaporin, & so forth, Kabalevsky had written works in connection to the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Even years & decades after the War, composers wrote music to commemorate those who perished during this tragic event. The Requiem, opus 72 of 1964, of the text by Robert Rozhdestvensky (no relation to Gennadi Rozhdestvensky), was composed in dedication "to those who died in the fight against fascism." It is a work of considerable substance & emotionism: a crying out of mothers who have lost her sons in defending Mother Russia, a crying out in remembrance to those who sacrificed themselves in fighting fascism.The Requiem requires hugh forces: baritone, mezzo-soprano, chorus, children chorus, & a hugh symphony orchestra. Kabalevsky himself performed & recorded this underrated materpiece with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra in 1964. The performance of the orchestra, soloist, & choruses was very intense & highly committed. A recording of Kabalevsky's Fourth Symphony (1956) with the composer conducting The Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra follows the Requiem on the second of two compact discs set. In comparison to Kabalevsky's 1st & 2nd symphonies currently available, his Fourth symphony is somewhat more mature & substantive. With much of the materials borrowed from his 1950 opera "The Family of Taras" after the novel of Boris Gorbatov, the symphony is considerably tragic & mournful (most particularly in the first two movements). It is only by the last two movements do we notice optimism & joy which brings this work to a resounding close. The performance of this work is a passionate & committed as one for the Requiem. A very tolerable yet slightly shallow recording, a set of very emotionism, committed, convincing performances: Highly Recommendable!! Buy the 2-CD Set while stock lasts."

A grand, powerful and evocative choral work

David A. Hollingsworth | 11/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has long amazed me that I have never met anyone who knows the Kabalevsky Requiem except the friend who introduced us to it in 1973. I have enjoyed this powerful music since then on vinyl record and now CD.The requiem combines a simple theme with varied and evocative choral pieces. As a non-musician I cannot comment on its musicality but it has long been one of my personal favourites. It is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys modern Russian music."