Well-Enough Recorded but Heartfelt Performances
Aronne | 02/23/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Melodia sound, as always, leaves something to be desired, but the Fedoseyev, Rozhdestvensky, and Svetlanov conduct an excellent program.
Fedoseyev conducts in the symphonies, all of which are well-sprung, demonstrating well consistent invention of Glazunov's music. The first symphony is a joyous, youthful work. The second symphony is a dramatic, Russian-sounding work dedicated to Liszt. The fourth symphony is very much in the Glazunov vein, if not as uniquely interesting as the first two.
Stenka Rasin is a semi-exotic piece that, in my opinion, is worth the entire album. The intensity of feeling that Svetlanov injects into the finale (based on the song of the Volga Boatman) is overpowering. Tears are never distant from one who listens.
The Violin Concerto in A minor is also given a pleasing treatment.
The sound is slightly veiled at times and occasionally edgy in the tuttis, but otherwise good for the former USSR. While not perfect, this album is still fine enough to make these two well-filled CDs 146 minutes of unalloyed Glazunov enjoyment."