Search - Taneyev, Tchaikovsky, Polyansky :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 4, Op 36; Taneyev: John of Damascus

Marvellous Taneyev

Alasdair Brooks | Melbourne Australia | 09/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is only a review of the Taneyev piece, as I assume people can find the Tchaikovsky elsewhere..."St. John of Damascus" was Taneyev's 1st publicly performed piece, but already it reveals much of his distinctive, but obviously Russian, style - particularly in the extensive use of counterpoint in the 3rd movement. The 3rd movement is a little laboured - Taneyev's melodic gift here doesn't quite measure up to his facility with counterpoint - but the gently textured 1st movement contains music of rare beauty, and on this basis I can heartily recommend this otherwise unavailable piece."