Search - Dmitry Yablonsky :: IVANOVS: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 12

More Important Works of Ivanovs.

David A. Hollingsworth | Washington, DC USA | 05/05/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Janis Ivanovs (1906-1983), the most important Latvian composer in the Modern Era, joined the ranks of leading & not so leading Soviet composers in writing works in connection of the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Ivanovs' Fifth symphony of 1945 is a work of power, agony, anger, & struggles for life, although the symphony ends as if contemplation looms. It's a work of substance & emotionism, & there's no doubt that in terms of the essential human emotions adversely affected by war, the work relate's to Prokofiev's Fifth & Sixth symphonies, Shostakovich Eighth Symphony, Kabalevsky's 2nd String Quartet, Khrennikov's 2nd symphony, Khachaturian's 2nd symphony, Popov's 2nd symphony, & Myaskovsky's 22nd symphony. Ivanov's symphony is not a materpiece, but substantive & appealing enough for an attentive & appreciative listening.The Twelfth symphony (1967) of Ivanovs, is a work of vigorous energy & optimism, with the initial theme, epic & majestic in sound, which begins & ends the symphony. The theme is cyclic in form throughout the first movement, growing in intensity until it ends the movement. The second movement continues with enery & force before we reach the third movement, which is quiet & meditative. The Finale picks up where the first two movements left off, with a sense of activity & brighter optimism before ending the exact way it began.Dmitri Yablonsky & the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra performed with excitement & passion (more so than their performances of Ivanov's symphonies nos. 2 & 3 under the same Marco Polo label), although not @ a first class rate. The recording is more than tolerable.Wholeheartedly recommended."