Search - Alexander Glazunov, Aram Khachaturian, Ernest Ansermet :: Khachaturian: Spartacus / Khachaturian, Vienna Philharmonic

Vivid performances!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 04/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The serene and exotic lyricism of this notable work has never been exhibited with so eloquence and majesty ever before. This adagio of Spartacus and Phygia's passionate performance is imbued of profane exoticism, radiant sensuality and suggested eroticism. As you know the string and winds section of the Vienna were in that decade one of the most remarkable around the world. The variation of Aegina and Bacchanalia is loaded with admirable acrobatic fierceness. Scene and dance with crotaria is simply outstanding. Kachaturian as director maintained the rigorous balance, and the muscle never shatters the expression musical. The last section Dance of Gaditane and Spartacus' victory is extremely interesting, the bass clarinet makes a rapture filigree work, anticipating the tragic ending. The whole orchestra will emerge creating a real homage to Dionysisus and surrounding the hall with that Balkan wildness.



The Gayaneh suite begins with the super known Sabre Dance, an admirable exercise of portentous sound and exhibition of high caliber pyrotechnic. The tragic and premonitory omen waltz is almost a perpetuum mobile that strikes the main melody in Aysheh's awakening and dance. In Lezghinka we have to admit the superior histamine doses given by Tekjnavorian . It' s worthy but it is not even closer to incandescence and febrile spirit demanded: I found it weak, lack of the required emotion. In the case of Gayaneh's adagio so well known for the great audiences since Kubrick 's 2001 Odyssey we have to recognize it' s simply great, serene, persuasive, intimate with admirable fond. Hopak is excellent too, reflecting the joy of living so characteristic o this slave country.



Ansermet' s Seasons is splendid though I rather choose the Albert Wolff's performance of the fifties.



And just as historical reference, it is a must for you to acquire this golden recording. Excellent sound edition.

"

Yay Khachaturian!

J. DOUGLAS-SMITH | 11/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most important tools in learning a new piece of music is having access to a good recording. When the conductor of my orchestra announced that we would be perfoming Spartacus this season, I was a little dissapointed; having never heard of this piece of music, I wondered why my conductor found it so intriguing... then, picked up this recording... wow! Not only is this music among the most interesting and original I've ever heard or performed, but this particular recording is wonderfully musical. It is much easier to understand my conductors musical choices when I listen to this, as Khachaturian appears to be a very good orchestra leader, with well developped ideas of the style of performance. This recording makes it very easy to understand why my conductor chose to program this piece, and is a very exciting addition to my CD collection."

Excellent Digitization!

J. DOUGLAS-SMITH | Perth, WA, Australia | 08/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a recording engineer and I completely refute Kenneth Maher's review. The 96 kHz 24 bit digitization of the original analogue master tapes is superb. Admittedly there is a little analogue tape hiss present during soft passages when played at high volume, but there are definitely NO vinyl scratches nor is there any cassette tape noise! As to the performance...it's quite simply mind boggling to hear Khachaturian conducting his own masterpieces. For me, the Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia is worth the price of the CD alone, not to mention the extraordinary rendition of Sabre dance; played at a tempo quite unlike any I've heard before. This is champagne classical music at a Bud Lite price...buy it and be happy!"