Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Valery Gergiev, St.Petersburg Kirov Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty

ANOTHER DEFINITIVE RECORDING BY GERGIEV AND THE KIROV

Gary | 05/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Sleeping Beauty," the second of the three Tchaikovsky ballets was first performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1890. Thus it was appropriate that Gergiev and the Kirov (Mariinsky Theatre) Orchestra undertook the task of making a complete recording of this ballet. As it is usually the case with Gergiev, he compels the orchestra to give all it's got! The recording is given a fulminating intro (it's all bass!), beginning with the theme of the diabolical Carabosse. The mood then gradually transitions from tension to the gracefulness of the Lilac Fairy theme, conveying the imagery of the power of good over evil. At times the fairies-variations in Act I seem a bit on the fast side, but this way one could appreciate the symphonic qualities of the score. The Kirov's rendition of the Rose Adagio is grand and poignant. The Garland Waltz is nicely done also. The soloists play brilliantly in the Vision scene from Act II! The entire Act III is given a zestful performance. I especially liked the tempo in the Blue Bird scene. Note the "flute" solos aren't as fast as in other renditions. Of course, one cannot forget the Grand Pas de Deux; it is full of power. And Desire's solo also has the right tempo. Unlike in some of the other recordings (say Mark Ermler's with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Orchestra on the Conifer label), the tempo here gradually builds up to the climax, which is exactly how it is danced! To top things off, Gergiev ends the great work with an invigorating finale. This recording does have some rivals. Mark Ermler's recording is also marvelously done. The tempi are on the whole good. However, that recording often sounds too loud (an engineering flaw). On the contrary, the Kirov's Sleeping Beauty does sound too soft at times, a flaw that can be overlooked, given the overall excellence of the performance. If these recordings of the complete Sleeping Beauty do not fall within your price range, you could always get the budget recording by Morgrelia on the Naxos label (also available at Amazon.com). It too is masterfully performed. But if you want to experience the "original" Sleeping Beauty, there is no substitute for the Kirov set!"

Magnificent

Bruce Aguilar | Hollywood, CA | 01/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not an audiofile, but this recording sounds fantastic! I bought this ballet on the strength of the Kirov recording of The Nutcracker which I also thought was brilliant. Presented here is the enitre ballet as Tchaikovasky wrote it on three CD's. Including the fairy-tale segments with Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood and such. The sound is rich and full, filling the room and your heart. It's a bit expensive, but at almost three hours of glorius music how can you complain? Simply put, it's the only recording of Sleeping Beauty you'll ever need, or want."

Beauty to the manner born

Marc Haegeman | 01/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Orchestra of the Mariinsky (formerly the Kirov) Theatre in St. Petersburg is by all means in the best position to play Tchaikovsky's second ballet "The Sleeping Beauty". The ballet was created at the initiative of this theatre and for this theatre in 1890, joining the forces of two of the foremost creative talents of the day, the choreographer Marius Petipa and the composer Peter Tchaikovsky. Surviving several regimes, "The Sleeping Beauty" has been kept in the repertory up to this very day. As its dancers, the musicians of the Mariinsky have the music in their blood.
Valery Gergiev, at the time of this recording (1992) still only Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Opera (now he is Artistic and Executive Director of the whole theatre), approaches the score primarily as a symphonic piece and with his usual attention to detail aptly highlights Tchaikovsky's ever inventive orchestral palette. Even if a few pieces are played at breakneck speed, asking the utmost of the musicians, Gergiev handles most the dance passages with unquestionable style, elegance and an unerring sense of atmosphere. The solos are a constant delight of this set and especially the woodwinds could boast a degree of refinement they no longer seem to have today. It's therefore disappointing that the recording doesn't do the orchestra fully justice. It was one of the first of the Philips team at the Mariinsky Theatre and well before they completely mastered its acoustics. The sound is expansive and detailed, but lacks bloom and is at times rather bass heavy.In all, one of the best Russian versions of "The Sleeping Beauty", much preferable to the more recent Pletnev, if lacking the character, imagination and overall grip of Svetlanov or Dorati. Much recommended."