Search - Eugene Ormandy, The Philadelphia Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra :: Russian Orchestral Works

Great Ormandy collection

Michael B. Richman | 04/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ormandy's skill never ceases to amaze me. This is an incredible collection of many of the greatest Russian Orchestral pieces, all performed excellently -- attention to dynamics, expression, and timing is all superb. The lion's share of this cd is devoted to Rimsky. A brilliant performance of Le Coq d'or, and of course the usual Procession of Nobles, Tumblers, and Flight of the Bumblebee. The big surprise is Ivan the Terrible, which is rarely performed (neither orchestral nor opera).The rest is made largely of modern Russians, save a Balakirev piece and a brief excerpt of Mussorgsky, thankfully excluding Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and gang. Worth it even just for the performances, if not for the pieces."

Exciting, energetic, different, and wonderful

Biblibio | 05/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Essential Classics", which has provided the world with many wonderful, delightfully cheap performances of the best known repertoire presents something a little different - a wonderful, delightfully cheap performance of little known pieces by some of the best Russian composers who have been overshadowed by their comrades.



No, you won't find Tchaikovsky here. You'll find Rimsky-Korsakov in something beyond "Scheherezade" (and boy do you find him). You'll find Balakirev, and will hopefully turn towards his other pieces (the incredible piano concertos on Hyperion [with Rimsky-Korsakov, as it so happens] are highly recommended!) and fall in love. You'll see another side of Mussorgsky, the one beyond "Pictures at an Exhibition". You'll spot Khachaturian, too. You'll meet Kabalevsky (who?) and Ivanov (again, who?). You'll find Gliere in his amazing form in "Russian Sailor's Dance" (my personal favorite - exciting, energetic, and awesome).



There are composers here you've heard of, but never heard. There are composers you know from one piece, and are curious for more. There are the obscure, the forgotten, and the brilliant. And it's cheap. If not found here, it's downloadable, but having it's preferable to purchase (thus the Amazon review).



Enjoy!"