Search - Jarvi, Gotteborgs Symfoniker :: Steinberg: Symphony No.2, Variations Op.2

Rewarding Russian Symphony

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD features the world premiere recordings of Russian composer Maximilian Steinberg's Symphony No. 2 and Variations Op. 2. Steinberg (1883-1946) was a student of Lyadov, Glazunov and Rimsky-Korsakov, and was in fact the latter's son-in-law. Steinberg wrote five symphonies and Neeme Jarvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra have recorded the first two for Deutsche Grammophon. However, Symphony No. 1 is now out-of-print and this title is only available as an expensive import. In his early works, Steinberg certainly has more in common musically with his teachers and he does with his contemporary Stravinsky. Both pieces featured here are well written and it is remarkable that labels devoted to lesser-known composers, such as CPO, Chandos or Naxos, have not released any discs by Steinberg. My only complaint, other than price, is that the disc is quite short -- not even 50 minutes long. In any event, hopefully DG will allow Jarvi to complete the Steinberg Symphony Cycle in the near future."