Search - USSR Symphony Orchestra :: Khachaturian: Symphony No 2 / Excerpts from Gayaneh (recorded in 1977)

Authentic Soviet musicmaking

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 09/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike the composer-led performance from 1962 released on the London label with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Piano Concerto / Violin Concerto / Symphony 2, this performance of Khachaturian's Symphony No. 2 was recorded in concert and is an authentic Soviet musical event circa 1977.



The notes to this issue, which are always highly readable and informative on the Russian Disc label, rightfully place the "Bell" symphony with the Shostakovich Symphonies 7 & 8 and the Prokofiev Symphony 5 as stalwarts in the coming Russian victory in World War II, saying the symphony is "imbued with genuine humanism and confidence in ultimate victory."



Having heard this several times, I cannot agree more. This is an outstanding performance of music than sounds far more substantial than its reputation suggests. The cyclical "bell" theme begins and ends the symphony, which includes substantial thematic development and the other devices that make the more well-known World War II-era Soviet symphonies memorable.



Snobs around the globe dismiss the music of this Soviet composer as absurd, inane and empty. Having recently spent much time with the Prokofiev Symphonies 5 & 6 and Shostakovich 7, I am confident in saying this recording is as substantial as the others and certainly better than the "Leningrad" symphony.



This is oustantding music in a highly compelling performance by the USSR Symphony Orchestra. It includes the characteristics of Soveit era musicmaking -- the occasional unsweet woodwind, blatty horn and shrieking string. For me, this adds to the authenticity of the performance. By contrast, the composer's 1962 performance with the Vienna Philharmonic seems exhibits opulence but not the same Russian character of the era.



The recording includes five excerpts from Khachaturian's ballet "Gayane" that can be considered definitive and gratefully exclude the overrepresented "Sabre Dance". The "Gayane" excerpts include the misnamed "Adagio of Gayane" -- a sort of scherzo dance that is anything but an adagio -- the raucous "Dance of the Kurds" and "Lezghinka".



It appears two excerpts were included on the same program as the symphony and the other three may have been added as encores, since there is applause after each and the audience becomes more and more involved throughout the performances.



The one failing of this issue the lack of documentation on date and place of performance, which is neither addressed in the notes or on the cover. Still, any lover of Russian or Soviet music will gain by purchasing this outstanding CD of 20th century Soviet masterpieces."