Search - Aram Khachaturian, André Anichanov, St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra :: Khachaturian: Spartacus (Suites Nos. 1-3)

Brilliantly recorded, classic Khachaturian

Erik Homenick | San Diego, California | 04/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel it is necessary to give this disc a fair review based on what it is, not what it's not. The other comments made about this album seem to to focus on the fact this not a recording of the complete ballet. True, this CD only features 3 suites from the epic work by Aram Khachaturian, but that should not take away from what music is here, and the quality of its sound.



Khachaturian was a master of orchestration, and the lushness of his SPARTACUS music is wonderfully brought to life by André Anichanov and the St. Petersburg Orchestra. Don't let Naxos's budget price fool you; this is a top-of-the-line, world class performance with rich, deep sound that will give your speakers a good thrashing if you choose to crank up the volume. (Khachaturian is meant to be enjoyed LOUD!)



Yes, a recording of the complete ballet would have been very welcome, but this disc is what it is and should not be discounted because it is "incomplete." If you can put aside the fact that this is, in essence, a "best of" SPARTACUS recording, you will be capitavted by the terrific music presented. Indeed, the glass is half full, not half empty."