Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)

[Scion7]

I know.
Just like you joke around about Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, et al - we know you have a secret stash and daily sched'd listening times for them!


But back on topic - the later Concert-Rhapsody (1961) is a superior piece over the Concerto.  But it doesn't have that fiery first movement of the concerto.

 

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[Mirror Image]

I know.
Just like you joke around about Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, et al - we know you have a secret stash and daily sched'd listening times for them!


But back on topic - the later Concert-Rhapsody (1961) is a superior piece over the Concerto.  But it doesn't have that fiery first movement of the concerto.

 

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Hey! I like Beethoven a lot! Take that back!

I can't say I know the Concerto-Rhapsody either.

[Scion7]

You can find just about all of Khachaturian's output on YT if you want to listen to it.

[cilgwyn]

Cpo are releasing the first in a projected cycle of Khatchaturian symphonies,beginning with the Second;scheduled for release on September 2nd.
You can see the new cd and it's 'artwork' on Amazon and Presto (for example) right now. I'm not sure if it will better the Jarvi Chandos which is one of the best thing Jarvi has ever done imho!! It would be nice if they could come up with a really good No 1,though. I have the RCA Tjeknavorian No 1 in a superb transfer,thanks to someone on this website. The best recording ever. What a pity Jarvi couldn't have had a crack at it when he was recording for Chandos!

[Autumn Leaves]

Cpo are releasing the first in a projected cycle of Khatchaturian symphonies,beginning with the Second;scheduled for release on September 2nd.
You can see the new cd and it's 'artwork' on Amazon and Presto (for example) right now. I'm not sure if it will better the Jarvi Chandos which is one of the best thing Jarvi has ever done imho!! It would be nice if they could come up with a really good No 1,though. I have the RCA Tjeknavorian No 1 in a superb transfer,thanks to someone on this website. The best recording ever. What a pity Jarvi couldn't have had a crack at it when he was recording for Chandos!

Thanks for your post - I was just browsing Amazon this evening looking for Khachaturian recordings and seen the new Symphony #2 pictured:



Will definitely be following this series with interest. I have all the ASV Symphony recordings and while they are very enthusiastically played a better option would be nice.

[cilgwyn]

Cpo are usually pretty good;so I have some hope for this project! Cpo are usually very good. Also, The Robert- Schumann-Philharmonic made a rather good recording of Pizzetti's gloriously,romantic Canti della stagione alta for Piano & orchestra. One of Marco Polo's all round better efforts. A different conductor here,though,and very different music. In lieu of a cd release of the RCA Tjeknavorian ;what I would like to see is a really good recording of the First Symphony. Not sure if this is the right combi for the job;but fingers crossed! Having said that,much as I enjoy Khatchaturian's music,I would really have preferred Cpo to choose a less recorded Soviet composer. There ARE quite allot to choose from!!!

[vandermolen]

Thanks for your post - I was just browsing Amazon this evening looking for Khachaturian recordings and seen the new Symphony #2 pictured:



Will definitely be following this series with interest. I have all the ASV Symphony recordings and while they are very enthusiastically played a better option would be nice.

Looks very interesting release and love the cover art.

[cilgwyn]

I will hold off for now! But yes,I do like the cover art. If they do manage a good recording of No 1 they might just tempt me. Some people might say there are too many recordings of Khatchaturian;but I don't think there are that many satisfactory recordings of the symphonies. And the only good one of No 1 (superb!) is a prisoner in the RCA (what exactly are they known as now,by the way?) vaults!!

[cilgwyn]

Thanks for your post - I was just browsing Amazon this evening looking for Khachaturian recordings and seen the new Symphony #2 pictured:



Will definitely be following this series with interest. I have all the ASV Symphony recordings and while they are very enthusiastically played a better option would be nice.

Judging from the Musicweb review of this cd,the signs are promising for follow up recordings of No's 1 & 3. Until Tjeknavorian's marvellous RCA reading of his First Symphony,which brings out all the sweeping grandeur of this score,is released on cd,a really good new recording is urgently required by those who haven't been dissuaded of this scores qualities by the wholly inadequate recordings available. Until you hear Tjeknavorians first recording of this score,you really haven't heard itl! Period! The ASV one is absolutely underwhelming,to put it mildly. One for the charity shops,sadly! Hopefully,Cpo will come up trumps?!
As to the third symphony. I like David Fanning's response to it. Yes,it does make me think of those Soviet era displays. Some of Khrennikov's music has a similar effect......but Khatchaturian's gift is to make it more fun. So bad it's good! Soviet poster art also springs to mind. It will be interesting to hear what this team come up with. I have to say I do like Cpo's artwork. It's just so apt! They were just as great with their recent Kabalevsky sets of the symphonies and piano concertos. I loved the artwork on the piano concertos set,in particular. I can't help wondering what they will choose for the third symphony.  I really am quite a fan of their art department. Their Antheil releases were fantastic,too! Their recent Holbrooke orchestral cds,just spot on!!
Groovey,man!!

[Vaulted]

Until Tjeknavorian's marvellous RCA reading of his First Symphony,which brings out all the sweeping grandeur of this score,is released on cd,a really good new recording is urgently required by those who haven't been dissuaded of this scores qualities by the wholly inadequate recordings available. Until you hear Tjeknavorians first recording of this score,you really haven't heard itl!

You don't like this one?
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[vandermolen]

You don't like this one?
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I know the question is not addressed to me. That is indeed a good version with the composer conducting but the Tjeknavorian LSO version is still the best.

[SymphonicAddict]

I must to say this almost underrated composer deserves more attention. His music has a enjoyable Armenian influence (which is very engaging), powerful drama and a distinctive festive touch. I just played the 3 symphonies, I liked all of them (even the 'high-calorie' 3rd), the first one left me pleasantly impressed, from the very beginning I was hooked, in fact I consider this work one of the most appealing first symphonies of any composer; the 2nd is the best IMHO, I love this thing, Khachaturian was inspired enough to give life to such an astounding war piece (he had nothing to envy Shostakovich) (I think it's one of my favorite Soviet/Russian symphonies). And finally is the 3rd: really bombastic, plenty of organ and trumpets... there were few moments of rest, this kind of works was in the best interest of the Soviet authorities. I highlight certain melodic lines in this piece. I must revisit mainly the concertos and ballets, although I know they will be very amusing!

[vandermolen]

I must to say this almost underrated composer deserves more attention. His music has a enjoyable Armenian influence (which is very engaging), powerful drama and a distinctive festive touch. I just played the 3 symphonies, I liked all of them (even the 'high-calorie' 3rd), the first one left me pleasantly impressed, from the very beginning I was hooked, in fact I consider this work one of the most appealing first symphonies of any composer; the 2nd is the best IMHO, I love this thing, Khachaturian was inspired enough to give life to such an astounding war piece (he had nothing to envy Shostakovich) (I think it's one of my favorite Soviet/Russian symphonies). And finally is the 3rd: really bombastic, plenty of organ and trumpets... there were few moments of rest, this kind of works was in the best interest of the Soviet authorities. I highlight certain melodic lines in this piece. I must revisit mainly the concertos and ballets, although I know they will be very amusing!

I very much agree with your comments here. Which versions of the symphonies did you listen to?

[cilgwyn]

I love his first two symphonies and tend to agree with SymphonicAddict,here (and vandermolen). Although,I haven't heard the third for years. Which reminds me. I have got it on the pc,somewhere? I also love the Violin and Piano Concertos,his Masquerade Suite,and even parts of Spartacus.Recently, I made a cd-r of the Khakhidze performance of Gayaneh. This is deleted and I sadly have failed to find an affordable copy over the years. When I was a youngster (about one hundred years ago) I had the Tjeknavorian RCA recording,which I played to death;usually full blast! Over the years I have read numerous posts criticising this recording and praising the Khakhidze to the roof! Anyway,I finally made a cd-r set from a video on Youtube. I must say I was absolutely blown away (as the cliche goes) by this performance. It is soo-ooo exciting! In fact,exciting isn't an exciting enough word for that recording!! The Tjeknavorian is a travesty by comparison. Why Melodiya don't put this recording at the top of their reissue plans,as a matter of urgency,beats me (as the Americans say!)? I actually do enjoy some of Khrennikov's music (unfortunately! ) but I can only think that it's politics (he's back in favour there,apparently) that warrants a reissue of his music before music of this quality in such an absolutely stunning performance!



Warning! Extremely exciting recording!!!

[vandermolen]

I love his first two symphonies and tend to agree with SymphonicAddict,here (and vandermolen). Although,I haven't heard the third for years. Which reminds me. I have got it on the pc,somewhere? I also love the Violin and Piano Concertos,his Masquerade Suite,and even parts of Spartacus.Recently, I made a cd-r of the Khakhidze performance of Gayaneh. This is deleted and I sadly have failed to find an affordable copy over the years. When I was a youngster (about one hundred years ago) I had the Tjeknavorian RCA recording,which I played to death;usually full blast! Over the years I have read numerous posts criticising this recording and praising the Khakhidze to the roof! Anyway,I finally made a cd-r set from a video on Youtube. I must say I was absolutely blown away (as the cliche goes) by this performance. It is soo-ooo exciting! In fact,exciting isn't an exciting enough word for that recording!! The Tjeknavorian is a travesty by comparison. Why Melodiya don't put this recording at the top of their reissue plans,as a matter of urgency,beats me (as the Americans say!)? I actually do enjoy some of Khrennikov's music (unfortunately! ) but I can only think that it's politics (he's back in favour there,apparently) that warrants a reissue of his music before music of this quality in such an absolutely stunning performance!



Warning! Extremely exciting recording!!!

I like the slow movement of Khrennikov's Second Symphony. I actually saw his lugubrious person in the flesh at the Bolshoi in Moscow on New Year's Day 1986 as they were performing a rather insipid ballet he had composed.

[SymphonicAddict]

I very much agree with your comments here. Which versions of the symphonies did you listen to?

In the 1st symphony I heard the recording of Tjeknavorian with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (label: ASW)
In the 2nd symphony the thundering recording with Järvi and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos)
For the 3rd I played the recording of Chandos with Glushchenko and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (I read comments about the recording of Tjeknavorian where the organ did not sound fully, but the Chandos was devastating!)
They are the recordings I have of the symphonies. I also have the recording that the gentleman cilgwyn posted (Kakhidze), but I have not heard it yet.

[SymphonicAddict]

I love his first two symphonies and tend to agree with SymphonicAddict,here (and vandermolen). Although,I haven't heard the third for years. Which reminds me. I have got it on the pc,somewhere? I also love the Violin and Piano Concertos,his Masquerade Suite,and even parts of Spartacus.Recently, I made a cd-r of the Khakhidze performance of Gayaneh. This is deleted and I sadly have failed to find an affordable copy over the years. When I was a youngster (about one hundred years ago) I had the Tjeknavorian RCA recording,which I played to death;usually full blast! Over the years I have read numerous posts criticising this recording and praising the Khakhidze to the roof! Anyway,I finally made a cd-r set from a video on Youtube. I must say I was absolutely blown away (as the cliche goes) by this performance. It is soo-ooo exciting! In fact,exciting isn't an exciting enough word for that recording!! The Tjeknavorian is a travesty by comparison. Why Melodiya don't put this recording at the top of their reissue plans,as a matter of urgency,beats me (as the Americans say!)? I actually do enjoy some of Khrennikov's music (unfortunately! ) but I can only think that it's politics (he's back in favour there,apparently) that warrants a reissue of his music before music of this quality in such an absolutely stunning performance!



Warning! Extremely exciting recording!!!

It's a good sign to give it a try 

[vandermolen]

In the 1st symphony I heard the recording of Tjeknavorian with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (label: ASW)
In the 2nd symphony the thundering recording with Järvi and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos)
For the 3rd I played the recording of Chandos with Glushchenko and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (I read comments about the recording of Tjeknavorian where the organ did not sound fully, but the Chandos was devastating!)
They are the recordings I have of the symphonies. I also have the recording that the gentleman cilgwyn posted (Kakhidze), but I have not heard it yet.

Thanks. I think that those are great recordings for 2 and 3. It's such a shame that Tjeknavorian's earlier RCA release with the LSO of Symphony 1 was never issued on CD.

[SymphonicAddict]

cilgwyn was right when commented about Gayaneh and this recording:



Today I could listen to the whole ballet. There is no way to be bored by this, the music is raving, frenzied, catchy, infectious, riotous, ultra-passionate and quite exotic. This ballet IS a real treat, tons of assured amusement. If you are looking for something fun with intensely catchy rhythms/tunes, this is for you.

[vandermolen]

cilgwyn was right when commented about Gayaneh and this recording:



Today I could listen to the whole ballet. There is no way to be bored by this, the music is raving, frenzied, catchy, infectious, riotous, ultra-passionate and quite exotic. This ballet IS a real treat, tons of assured amusement. If you are looking for something fun with intensely catchy rhythms/tunes, this is for you.

That's very interesting to hear Cesar. Some time ago I bought a recording with Tjeknavorian conducting the 'National Philharmonic Orchestra'. They used the same cover image as the RCA LP release of him conducting the First Symphony with the LSO and for a moment I thought that they had finally released that unsurpassed recording on CD - so I was a bit disappointed. Now, your post has encouraged me to listen to the complete Gayaneh. Oddly enough the cover image that you posted is identical to the one used on the CD including the composer's own recording of his underrated First Symphony:
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