Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)

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I think that mine is the Japanese reissue too John. No problem with sound quality as far as I recall but I'm not listening on a state-of-the-art sound system.

Yeah, I usually can detect any kind of defects in a recording through headphone listening, but it's good to hear you have no issues with the audio quality.

[kyjo]

Khachaturian's early Trio for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano is a really fine work that makes me regret that he didn't compose more chamber music:

https://youtu.be/ys1W_Yhygvg

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Khachaturian's early Trio for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano is a really fine work that makes me regret that he didn't compose more chamber music:

https://youtu.be/ys1W_Yhygvg

Very nice, Kyle. Thanks for sharing this --- quite a nice work. When I was looking at Khachaturian's oeuvre, I must've missed this trio. I'd have loved to hear a string quartet from him.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I like the complete ballet music of Spartacus. So far I have three recordings, including the Jurowski, Zhuraitis(Bolshoi) and old Bolshoi recordings. They all are excellent and I like all of them very much. The Jurowski set offers the best recording sound, and the performance is clear and thorough. A few people may find it a little mechanical, however. The Zhuraitis set is my favorite. It is vigorous and colorful.
The sound quality of the old Bolshoi recoding is very poor, but the performance is exceptionally good and penetrating, so it is frustrating. Since the recording sound is very poor, probably this set is for completists only.

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I like the complete ballet music of Spartacus. So far I have three recordings, including the Jurowski, Zhuraitis(Bolshoi) and old Bolshoi recordings. They all are excellent and I like all of them very much. The Jurowski set offers the best recording sound, and the performance is clear and thorough. A few people may find it a little mechanical, however. The Zhuraitis set is my favorite. It is vigorous and colorful.
The sound quality of the old Bolshoi recoding is very poor, but the performance is exceptionally good and penetrating, so it is frustrating. Since the recording sound is very poor, probably this set is for completists only.

I'm quite happy with the Jurowski on Capriccio, but I do wish there was a bit more excitement in the performance. It would've been nice to have a recording of the complete ballet from Tjeknavorian.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I feel exactly the same.

I do wish there was a bit more excitement in the performance.

[kyjo]

Very nice, Kyle. Thanks for sharing this --- quite a nice work. When I was looking at Khachaturian's oeuvre, I must've missed his composed this trio. I'd have loved to hear a string quartet from him.

You're welcome, John. I agree - a Khachaturian string quartet or two would've been very nice considering how well he wrote for string instruments.

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Let me just say that the Fire movement from Khachaturian's Gayane is smoldering. Wow!

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Cross-posted from the 'Listening' thread -

Symphony No. 2 in E minor, "The Bell"



Damn! I had forgot just how awesome this symphony is --- scorching performance, too.

I have to say that I never heard such a smoking performance of this symphony as this one from Tjeknavorian.

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This is such a cool photo:



I wonder if this was before/after their denouncements? I'll have to find a year for the photo.

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You're welcome, John. I agree - a Khachaturian string quartet or two would've been very nice considering how well he wrote for string instruments.

Speaking of Khachaturian's chamber music, North Star (Karlo) alerted me to this new release:



This will be a must-buy once it's released here in the US. I've never seen all of his chamber works under one roof like this.

[vandermolen]

This is such a cool photo:



I wonder if this was before/after their denouncements? I'll have to find a year for the photo.

One source says that it is from 1940, so before the Zhdanov denouncement - they all look quite cheerful!

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One source says that it is from 1940, so before the Zhdanov denouncement - they all look quite cheerful!

Thanks, Jeffrey. They do look rather cheerful I must say. I suspect that Prokofiev is the odd man out here. I remember reading somewhere that he thought very little of Shostakovich and didn't consider him a 'real' composer. I'm sure he thought even less of Khachaturian.

[vandermolen]

Thanks, Jeffrey. They do look rather cheerful I must say. I suspect that Prokofiev is the odd man out here. I remember reading somewhere that he thought very little of Shostakovich and didn't consider him a 'real' composer. I'm sure he thought even less of Khachaturian.

Yes, although I think that's a comment on Prokofiev rather than the others! Prokofiev, despite his acerbic wit and intolerance, remained remarkably loyal to his friend Miaskovsky:

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Yes, although I think that's a comment on Prokofiev rather than the others! Prokofiev, despite his acerbic wit and intolerance, remained remarkably loyal to his friend Miaskovsky:

Oh yes. Myaskovsky was, of course, Prokofiev's fellow classmate. They took to each other early on as both composers had quite the disdain for their teacher Lyadov.

[Symphonic Addict]

Let me just say that the Fire movement from Khachaturian's Gayane is smoldering. Wow!

The whole ballet is surely one of the catchiest works I've ever heard, and I've heard many! Anyone who loves this composer should hear this work in its entirely, it's absolutely fantastic. There is a movement called Love Duet or Love Scene if my memory serves. What a most ardent and romantic tune!! It will be on your head for some days.

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The whole ballet is surely one of the catchiest works I've ever heard, and I've heard many! Anyone who loves this composer should hear this work in its entirely, it's absolutely fantastic. There is a movement called Love Duet or Love Scene if my memory serves. What a most ardent and romantic tune!! It will be on your head for some days.

Yes, I've certainly enjoyed everything I've heard so far. He really was a remarkable composer. I love the color, exoticism, and sheer rhythmic vitality that his music projects. In a world gone crazier by the hour, Khachaturian hits me hard and gives me that much needed jolt I need to let me know that everything will be okay. Better times are ahead.

On a related note, have you or anyone else seen this documentary?



It's in my queue and I'm wondering whether I should pull the trigger or not as I do find his own bio to be quite interesting.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

While I like the entire ballet music, I feel that good/better pieces are not included in the Gayane, as well as Spartacus, "Suite."


FYI, two videos of entire ballet of Gayane on YT.

https://youtu.be/s9jbn27wIew

https://youtu.be/sR5imaQWwrQ

Plus, Spartacus

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD403A68382B496A4

The whole ballet is surely one of the catchiest works I've ever heard, and I've heard many! Anyone who loves this composer should hear this work in its entirely, it's absolutely fantastic. There is a movement called Love Duet or Love Scene if my memory serves. What a most ardent and romantic tune!! It will be on your head for some days.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I don't know if this is the same or different, but there is a Biographical video of K on YT.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB88B9BFAAEF89459

Yes, I've certainly enjoyed everything I've heard so far. He really was a remarkable composer. I love the color, exoticism, and sheer rhythmic vitality that his music projects. In a world gone crazier by the hour, Khachaturian hits me hard and gives me that much needed jolt I need to let me know that everything will be okay. Better times are ahead.

On a related note, have you or anyone else seen this documentary?



It's in my queue and I'm wondering whether I should pull the trigger or not as I do find his own bio to be quite interesting.

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I don't know if this is the same or different, but there is a Biographical video of K on YT.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB88B9BFAAEF89459

Ah yes, thanks for the link. I've seen this video on YouTube, but I'm not sure if it's the same documentary. (It probably is more than likely.)