Russian symphonies month in March 2013, for anyone who wishes to participate! :) 8)
I welcome recommendations for Borodin and Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonies. And, should I try Miaskovsky symphonies?
Sorry, I can't play. March is going to be an Ives, RVW, and Delius month for me. 8)
I will join you Ray - I have some new stuff to listen to which could fit into your theme. I plan to listen to Nos. 4, 5 & 6 from Markevitch's Tchaikovsky set and also want to explore Stravinsky and Scriabins Symphonies 8)
Can't play either. I'll be listening to a lot of opera, Schubert, French music, and as ever... J.S. Bach... considering my recent purchases.
Now, how Russian does the Russian has to be? I mean, some of them are actually Ukrainian, Belarussian, Tartar, Georgian, etc. Russian Russian?
I was going to say Lyatoshinsky when I realised that he is not Russian.
Quote from: springrite on February 23, 2013, 05:42:19 PM
Now, how Russian does the Russian has to be? I mean, some of them are actually Ukrainian, Belarussian, Tartar, Georgian, etc. Russian Russian?
I was going to say Lyatoshinsky when I realised that he is not Russian.
Close enough! Bending rules are OK! :D
I was going to make it Mahler March!! >:D ;D
I'll definitely fit in some Russian symphonies for sure. Will get to know the other Taneyev (absolutely love no.4!), some Miaskovsky, the Rimsky symphonies. And I've been planning to listen to Prokofiev's symphony cycle for the first time for quite a while also. :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 23, 2013, 06:07:01 PM
Close enough! Bending rules are OK! :D
How about we can include anyone who speaks Russian fluently?
Quote from: springrite on February 24, 2013, 07:05:06 AM
How about we can include anyone who speaks Russian fluently?
Affirmative! :)
An entire month dedicated to Russian symphonies? Sounds pretty funny. :D
This could give me a chance to improve my knowledge of Myaskovsky's music, I liked his Cello Concerto very much when I listened to it.
Sure! Maybe I will give a (yet another) chance to Rimsky-Korsakov's Third Symphony, which - I keep thinking - should enthrall me...but just...does...not!
Scriabin! YES!
The 3 T's: Tchaikovsky, Taneyev, (Alexander) Tcherepnin.
Quote from: Cato on February 24, 2013, 03:30:48 PM
Sure! Maybe I will give a (yet another) chance to Rimsky-Korsakov's Third Symphony, which - I keep thinking - should enthrall me...but just...does...not!
I'll give the Rimsky-Korsakov symphonies a new go, too. I think I must have heard The Estonian Dude's recording, and I remember it not doing much for me. Checking out the Kitaenko sound samples, though . . . I think they might be the ticket.
I may just acquire the following for the symphony party:
Myaskovsky symphonies
Glazunov symphonies
Borodin symphonies
Rimsky-Korsakov symphonies
Rachmaninov symphonies
My genealogy suggests that I'm French through and through, going back numerous generations.......or so I've been told.
Hmmm, further investigation may be required. I may have some Russian blood in me. Or Frussian blood, perhaps? :laugh:
Ray, I suspect you'll dig the Rakhmaninov symphonies mighty well!
I just did some clip-listening to the Taneyev symphonies... gotta listen up to these, too!
Quote from: karlhenning on February 24, 2013, 05:45:50 PM
Ray, I suspect you'll dig the Rakhmaninov symphonies mighty well!
I just did some clip-listening to the Taneyev symphonies... gotta listen up to these, too!
I think I have only heard the 2nd symphony, years ago (Rachmaninov, that is). Aye, still so much to explore, it is amazing!
For the Taneyev symphonies,
Karl, I strongly recommend the Sanderling/Novosibirsk Academic Symphony Orchestra/Naxos recordings. I am still warming up to symphonies 1 & 3, but the 2 & 4 are
BTGL, all the way!
Quote from: karlhenning on February 24, 2013, 05:45:50 PM
Ray, I suspect you'll dig the Rakhmaninov symphonies mighty well!
Karl, any recommendations for a nice Rakh set (no lewd pun intended). If you say Ashkenazy, I'm already sold! :) 8)
Don't forget Kalinnikov - one of eyeresist's favorites...
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 24, 2013, 05:40:03 PM
My genealogy suggests that I'm French through and through, going back numerous generations.......or so I've been told.
Hmmm, further investigation may be required. I may have some Russian blood in me. Or Frussian blood, perhaps? :laugh:
Remember how the Russian upper class all speak French to appear sophisticated? So there is the link you needed from Russianness to Frenchness.
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 24, 2013, 05:57:33 PM
Karl, any recommendations for a nice Rakh set (no lewd pun intended). If you say Ashkenazy, I'm already sold! :) 8)
Cheers, Ray! Something tells me that our Ilaria would rec the Ashkenazy, but I just don't know his work there. I enjoy the Jansons set : )
Quote from: karlhenning on February 25, 2013, 04:27:02 AM
Cheers, Ray! Something tells me that our Ilaria would rec the Ashkenazy, but I just don't know his work there. I enjoy the Jansons set : )
You're right, Karl. :D
I've got both the sets. The Jansons is absolutely well performed and recorded, with a particularly splendid 2nd Symphony, very passionate, intense and suggestive. But the Ashkenazy is.....simply outstanding, magical! I think no one is able to express the poetical tragedy, the passion and the evocative power of Rach's music in a better way than Ashkenay's.
I'm going to really try to delve into Shostakovich, though I'm puzzled you learned lads haven't mentioned him...?!
I see.
Well, I shall rebel and listen anyhow! 8)
Quote from: huntsman on February 25, 2013, 07:56:14 AM
I see.
Well, I shall rebel and listen anyhow! 8)
Like a teacher talking to a student who missed a class: Hey! You will make up the Shostakovich AND do the rest of the Russian symphonies like the rest of the class!
SIR!
YES SIR!
:D :D
Quote from: huntsman on February 25, 2013, 07:43:06 AM
I'm going to really try to delve into Shostakovich, though I'm puzzled you learned lads haven't mentioned him...?!
Hah!!! :D One of the reasons I 'declared' March as Russian symphonies month, is to find an excuse to go on yet another Shostakovich symphonies binge, as I've been in withdrawal. ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 25, 2013, 09:20:41 AM
Hah!!! :D One of the reasons I 'declared' March as Russian symphonies month, is to find an excuse to go on yet another Shostakovich symphonies binge, as I've been in withdrawal. ;D
This was actually my first thought when I read your subject title. ;D
Not sure if Schnittke has made the discussion here yet, but he's got a few symphonies well worth mentioning, No. 2, 4 & 8 come to mind.
Conor mentioned Stravinsky's symphonies, and it deserves to be mentioned again. Such gems! :)
I hope you'll enjoy them, Conor.
It's going to be a busy month of March! On my menu:
The symphonies of (in various random order, to be determined later):
Prokofiev
Taneyev
Tchaikovsky
Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Rimsky-Korsakov
Myaskovsky
Rachmaninov
Glazunov
Esphai!
Denisov!
Shosto....kovitch...! :-[ :-[
Quote from: huntsman on February 27, 2013, 07:30:00 AM
Shosto....kovitch...! :-[ :-[
Since as a late-comer, Shostakovich is your makeup work, so you may listen to his symphonies on your own. Please keep your headphones on and do not disturb the rest of the class AND do not hum Lady Smith and Black Monbazo while you are at it!
I like this. I did not finish my January Shostakovich run anyways.
And I still have gaps in my Prokofiev and Stravinsky.
I would also like to give Weinberg and Myaskovsky a try.
Actually, a lot of Russians are completely unknown to me.
Quote from: springrite on February 27, 2013, 07:32:43 AM
Since as a late-comer, Shostakovich is your makeup work, so you may listen to his symphonies on your own. Please keep your headphones on and do not disturb the rest of the class AND do not hum Lady Smith and Black Monbazo while you are at it!
ROFLMAO!! ;D ;D
Sorry, but March is "The Ives Of March" which is dedicated to the music of Charles Ives. I will be digging out some of my favorite Ives recordings and giving them a spin.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 27, 2013, 07:49:30 AM
Sorry, but March is "The Ives Of March" which is dedicated to the music Charles Ives. I will be digging out some of my favorite Ives recordings and giving them a spin.
I always knew you march to a different drummer. I didn't know you also use a different calendar.
(Secretly, while listening to some Russian symphonies, I will be listening to Mahler, Feldman, Bach, Medtner and Zimmermann more...)
Quote from: springrite on February 27, 2013, 07:57:44 AM
I always knew you march to a different drummer. I didn't know you also use a different calendar.
(Secretly, while listening to some Russian symphonies, I will be listening to Mahler, Feldman, Bach, Medtner and Zimmermann more...)
I wish I could credit the idea of March being set aside for Ives but this was (Sock Monkey) Greg's idea. Not a bad idea since Ives is one of my favorites. :)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 27, 2013, 08:00:08 AM
I wish I could credit the idea of March being set aside for Ives but this was (Sock Monkey) Greg's idea. Not a bad idea since Ives is one of my favorites. :)
How about a March Dessident Movement?
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 26, 2013, 08:00:46 AM (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?topic=21525.msg700339#msg700339)
Conor mentioned Stravinsky's symphonies, and it deserves to be mentioned again. Such gems! :)
I hope you'll enjoy them, Conor.
Thanks! :)
Does a symphonic suite count as a symphony? :) I wouldn't mind listening to Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade again. ;D
Oh well, I made this thread, so I'll just say yes!! 8) $:)
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 03, 2013, 09:34:38 AM
Does a symphonic suite count as a symphony? :) I wouldn't mind listening to Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade again. ;D
Oh well, I made this thread, so I'll just say yes!! 8) $:)
I'd happily listen to it all month! ;) Hopefully we'll get the recording of our youth orchestra playing it soon :)
I'll be starting my Russian symphony listening tommorow, probably with Glazunov 4. :)
Dudes and Dudettes!
I have been enjoying 2 rarities: the first 2 symphonies by Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov.
Famous for his film scores (e.g. Sergei Bondarchuk's mammoth film of War and Peace and A. Tarkovsky's The Passion of Andrei Rublev) Ovchinnikov's symphonies show both his heritage from Prokofiev and an individual voice.
Fortunately, YouTube offers both! #1 is conducted by Maxim Shostakovich
http://www.youtube.com/v/EBE1lbQFkGM
and #2 (some surface noise)
http://www.youtube.com/v/PCgnNQ9Hsh4
Do you mean pre-Soviet (pre-revolution) period only? Otherwise there's an overwhelming lot to choose from. I've started with Tchaikowsky's 5th, will go on to Borodin, Balakirev, Lyapunov, Aliabev, Amirov, Rimsky-KOrsakov, and if I can find it, "Ovsianiko-Kulikovsky" and Kalinnikov,
forgot: Glazunov and Glière
Quote from: listener on March 05, 2013, 05:55:44 PM
Do you mean pre-Soviet (pre-revolution) period only? Otherwise there's an overwhelming lot to choose from. I've started with Tchaikowsky's 5th, will go on to Borodin, Balakirev, Lyapunov, Aliabev, Amirov, Rimsky-KOrsakov, and if I can find it, "Ovsianiko-Kulikovsky" and Kalinnikov,
There are no rules. Pre, during and post Soviet period. And any former Soviet state. You can choose! :)
I seem to have a real problem obeying these monthly listening groups. I've only listened to two symphonies at all this month so far, one Swedish and one French. In Shostakovich Quartet Month I only got through 1-5, and last month I joined in on the 26th. Ah well :P
I'll probably listen to some Prokofiev this month at some point. I've been wanting to revisit Rozhdestvensky's symphony cycle. I think I'll listen to Symphonies 2, 5, & 6 tomorrow or when I go on vacation next week. I haven't heard Rachmaninov's 3rd in quite some time, so I'd like to revisit that symphony at some point.
Quote from: Brian on March 05, 2013, 06:23:32 PM
I seem to have a real problem obeying these monthly listening groups. I've only listened to two symphonies at all this month so far, one Swedish and one French. In Shostakovich Quartet Month I only got through 1-5, and last month I joined in on the 26th. Ah well :P
It's all purely voluntary, товарищ : )
Quote from: karlhenning on March 06, 2013, 04:23:25 AM
It's all purely voluntary, товарищ : )
Soviet-style voluntary, that is:
Comrades, the Party needs three voluntaries. You, you and you, step forward!
Don't scare the lad off!
Quote from: Florestan on March 06, 2013, 04:37:09 AM
Soviet-style voluntary, that is: Comrades, the Party needs three voluntaries. You, you and you, step forward!
Yakov Smirnoff: "In Soviet Union, you don't need to go a party: the party will come to you!"
http://www.youtube.com/v/4y5hEKfxm4M
Alright! I'm caving in!
Kalinnikov's two symphonies. Delightful confections with great tunes, but suffers from the typical Russian-romantic inferiority complex which drove them to insert drab fugues and other Very Serious elements into otherwise originally-voiced pieces. Luckily Kalinnikov was primarily concerned with being delightful.
Maybe they liked the counterpoint ; )
Quote from: karlhenning on March 06, 2013, 06:48:24 AM
Maybe they liked the counterpoint ; )
Hey, now that's a question I'd like to know the answer to! I believe it was an idea that I had picked up from some CD's liner notes, or Dave Hurwitz, that various Russian composers wedged fugues, counterpoint, and other formal Germanic elements into their symphonies in order to "prove" themselves or to make their work more "serious." But maybe they did just like it? Can anybody enlighten me further? I suspect Taneyev probably did enjoy it more than, say, Tchaikovsky.
These Myaskovsky symphonies are available on Naxos Music Library, from the Svetlanov series: 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, plus three Sinfoniettas, two of them 27-30 minutes in length.
I've only ever heard one single Myaskovsky symphony, and can't remember which one, so maybe these eight are a good place to start. Any favorites?
Quote from: Brian on March 06, 2013, 07:08:26 AM
Hey, now that's a question I'd like to know the answer to! I believe it was an idea that I had picked up from some CD's liner notes, or Dave Hurwitz, that various Russian composers wedged fugues, counterpoint, and other formal Germanic elements into their symphonies in order to "prove" themselves or to make their work more "serious." But maybe they did just like it? Can anybody enlighten me further? I suspect Taneyev probably did enjoy it more than, say, Tchaikovsky.
Right now I am listening to
Sergei Taneyev's Symphony I and
Symphony III ! The
First was composed when
Taneyev was 16 and working with
Tchaikovsky, and it already shows a sense of thematic variation as counterpoint, the themes themselves rather
Beethovenian, and there is even a whiff of
Bruckner here and there, which (I would think) must be coincidental.
So yes, I suspect
Taneyev liked playing with contrapuntal techniques! The (rather condescending*) notes say that
Taneyev had studied
des Prez and
Lassus right before composing the
Third Symphony. Is that obvious in the work? No, but the symphony is quite expressive, dramatic, elegiac, triumphant, and hardly an exercise from a textbook!
* by a certain
David Nice who wants us so very much to realize that
Taneyev was a minor composer! ???
How is that Polyansky recording of the Taneyev symphonies, Cato?
I've been listening to Prokofiev's symphonies now (nos. 1, 4, 5, and 6), and Tchaikovsky at the end of February. Will perhaps listen to Borodin at some point, I liked well enough what I heard a while ago after reading Leo K's posts.
And some Shosty or Rakhmaninov, too.
Quote from: Brian on March 06, 2013, 07:43:43 AM
These Myaskovsky symphonies are available on Naxos Music Library, from the Svetlanov series: 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, plus three Sinfoniettas, two of them 27-30 minutes in length.
I've only ever heard one single Myaskovsky symphony, and can't remember which one, so maybe these eight are a good place to start. Any favorites?
Start with the 24th. If you don't respond to it, then you won't respond to any Myaskovsky symphony.
Quote from: karlhenning on March 06, 2013, 10:00:32 AM
How is that Polyansky recording of the Taneyev symphonies, Cato?
For I and III he is the only choice, on CHANDOS, and (given that no score is available to me) I am happy with the performances!
Certainly II and IV are the stronger works, and again
Polyansky does quite well, e.g. the inner voices are heard in a natural way, nothing artificial as if a parabolic microphone were focused on an oboe suddenly.
Right now I am listening to IV, and the performance brings out the music's great drama. The first movement is a slam-dunk!
[asin]B00006FSPL[/asin]
I don't seem to have Borodin's 3rd anymore. Hum.... I like that unfinished symphony!
Quote from: springrite on March 06, 2013, 03:27:28 PM
I don't seem to have Borodin's 3rd anymore. Hum.... I like that unfinished symphony!
Didn't Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov finish that Borodin's 3rd? I can't remember.
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 06, 2013, 10:25:31 AM
Start with the 24th. If you don't respond to it, then you won't respond to any Myaskovsky symphony.
Too true,
I hadn't heard any prior to buying the 24th on Naxos a few months ago when I read
MI remarking on a sublime slow movement within the 24th.
A great discovery for me, but only touched the tip of the iceberg so far. A composer who needs further investigation.
Picked this up new for a £1 yesterday, quite impressed with Gergiev's pace, a little fast for total satisfaction but really inspiring on the whole. The finale was totally hectic and tubthumping.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yriXofb5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Not had time to compare it with his LSO Live recording yet.
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 07, 2013, 06:37:14 AM
Didn't Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov finish that Borodin's 3rd? I can't remember.
Not finished (apparently no or not enough sketches for the final two movements), but orchestrated the two movements: notes for a CD on Amazon say it was
Glazunov.
I must refrain from bending the rules too much. I have a hankering to listen to Tchaikovsky's fabulous Orchestral Suites. 0:)
Good news! My Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninov, Myaskovsky and Glazunov symphony sets are slated to arrive next week! 8)
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on March 07, 2013, 07:19:37 AM
Too true,
I hadn't heard any prior to buying the 24th on Naxos a few months ago when I read MI remarking on a sublime slow movement within the 24th.
A great discovery for me, but only touched the tip of the iceberg so far. A composer who needs further investigation.
Excellent! I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the music and that I have, in my own way, prodded you into exploring this great composer.
Quote from: Cato on March 07, 2013, 07:56:16 AM
Not finished (apparently no or not enough sketches for the final two movements), but orchestrated the two movements: notes for a CD on Amazon say it was Glazunov.
Oh, okay Cato. Thanks for the info. :)
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 07, 2013, 06:37:14 AM
Didn't Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov finish that Borodin's 3rd? I can't remember.
I have never heard a finished version. So if they did, I guess no one thought much of it and decided to play the unfinished version.
Quote from: springrite on March 07, 2013, 05:57:02 PM
I have never heard a finished version. So if they did, I guess no one thought much of it and decided to play the unfinished version.
Hmmm....food for thought. :)
I heard the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra play Prokofiev's 5th a few weeks back. I was in the front row. My hearing is yet to recover from the climaxes of the 1st and 3rd movements. ;D
It was the first time i've heard that symphony live, which after 20 years of classical listening is shameful given that it's almost certainly the symphony i've listened to more than any other on record. (Oh, and not to mention that I love it dearly). At any rate, it was a most awesome experience in the literal sense of the word - I was totally awestruck and transfixed.
Well...that's my not very interesting news. The closest thing on my current playlist to a Russian symphony is Silvestrov's 4th, but he's Ukrainian. (But then so would Prokofiev be had he been born more recently, right?!)
Not very interesting news? My dear chap, you have heard the Glorious Opus 100 live! You heard the music while it was being made before your very eyes!
Quote from: karlhenning on March 08, 2013, 02:25:42 AM
Not very interesting news? My dear chap, you have heard the Glorious Opus 100 live! You heard the music while it was being made before your very eyes!
Oh, yes it was fascinating for me! Though i'm sure i'd have turned more heads if i'd said i'd heard... Popov's first or something more esoteric!
Quote from: Benji on March 07, 2013, 10:23:45 PM
I heard the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra play Prokofiev's 5th a few weeks back. I was in the front row. My hearing is yet to recover from the climaxes of the 1st and 3rd movements. ;D
It was the first time i've heard that symphony live, which after 20 years of classical listening is shameful given that it's almost certainly the symphony i've listened to more than any other on record. (Oh, and not to mention that I love it dearly). At any rate, it was a most awesome experience in the literal sense of the word - I was totally awestruck and transfixed.
Well...that's my not very interesting news. The closest thing on my current playlist to a Russian symphony is Silvestrov's 4th, but he's Ukrainian. (But then so would Prokofiev be had he been born more recently, right?!)
Fixed. ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on March 08, 2013, 02:25:42 AM
Not very interesting news? My dear chap, you have heard the Glorious Opus 100 live! You heard the music while it was being made before your very eyes!
What he said. That is a great one to hear live. And the Vancouver ensemble is an estimable one.
--Bruce
Quote from: Brewski on March 08, 2013, 10:16:30 AM
Fixed. ;D
What he said. That is a great one to hear live. And the Vancouver ensemble is an estimable one.
--Bruce
They were excellent, I was suitably impressed considering I'd never heard of them before arriving in BC. They also played the Grieg piano concerto with Jon Kimura Parker and I was almost in tears. That concert marked the end of my time in BC (after 10 months) so it was a beautiful, memorable way to end my time there. :D
Quote from: Benji on March 08, 2013, 11:25:04 AM
They were excellent, I was suitably impressed considering I'd never heard of them before arriving in BC. They also played the Grieg piano concerto with Jon Kimura Parker and I was almost in tears. That concert marked the end of my time in BC (after 10 months) so it was a beautiful, memorable way to end my time there. :D
I've also had the privilege to hear Jon Kimura Parker perform live twice, with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Fantastic performances in both cases! (Saint-Saens' 2nd Piano Concerto, and Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto).
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 08, 2013, 11:33:27 AM
I've also had the privilege to hear Jon Kimura Parker perform live twice, with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Fantastic performances in both cases! (Saint-Saens' 2nd Piano Concerto, and Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto).
I'd never heard of him before either. Canadians are really good at keeping their real talent hidden whilst simultaneously inflicting their worst on the rest of us. :P
Quote from: Benji on March 08, 2013, 03:05:43 PM
I'd never heard of him before either. Canadians are really good at keeping their real talent hidden whilst simultaneously inflicting their worst on the rest of us. :P
:laugh:
Quote from: Benji on March 08, 2013, 03:05:43 PM
I'd never heard of him before either. Canadians are really good at keeping their real talent hidden whilst simultaneously inflicting their worst on the rest of us. :P
Which comment reminds me of...
http://www.youtube.com/v/qKMBTUkJF3g
I cannot tell you how many times I watched
Wayne and Shuster on
Ed Sullivan, and felt embarrassed for them, as the audience responded with polite chuckles.
Or not at all!
And then
Ed Sullivan, who obviously thought they were great, would come out and say after they had bombed again: "C'mon, let's hear it!"
Well, I'll be jiggered, but I am enjoying the symphonies of Glazunov, Taneyev & Rimsky-Korsakov very well indeed. I noted in the WAYLT thread, that the finale of Taneyev's First uses (for its first theme) one of the same carols which Stravinsky has made famous in the West in Petrushka.
Quote from: karlhenning on March 11, 2013, 09:34:55 AM
Well, I'll be jiggered, but I am enjoying the symphonies of Glazunov, Taneyev & Rimsky-Korsakov very well indeed. I noted in the WAYLT thread, that the finale of Taneyev's First uses (for its first theme) one of the same carols which Stravinsky has made famous in the West in Petrushka.
Really, Karl? :o I did not realize this. Perhaps that is why the Taneyev 1st is making such an impression on me this month. And you probably know that Petrushka has been a long-time favourite Stravinsky work!
Quote from: karlhenning on March 11, 2013, 09:34:55 AM
Well, I'll be jiggered, but I am enjoying the symphonies of Glazunov, Taneyev & Rimsky-Korsakov very well indeed. I noted in the WAYLT thread, that the finale of Taneyev's First uses (for its first theme) one of the same carols which Stravinsky has made famous in the West in Petrushka.
Hmm, I can't seem to detect it. Is it specifically one of the dances in Tableau IV. of Petrushka? I must be a nincompoop. ???
Ok, I'm starting just now my very first Miaskovsky All Symphonies Adventure (have heard only the 6th so far).
I have listened and immediately relistened to the 1st Symphony of Miaskovsky. Just couldn't resist. Very nice work with very long movements - I suppose this concept was probably inspired somehow by the 2nd of Rachmaninov from the same year.
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 11, 2013, 05:09:00 PM
Hmm, I can't seem to detect it. Is it specifically one of the dances in Tableau IV. of Petrushka? I must be a nincompoop. ???
Pshaw! You are no nincompoop, Ray.
It is the Dance of the Coachmen & Grooms, track 13 on the Composer's Own recording. Characteristically of Stravinsky, the tune is a bit heavier of tread (to suit the coachmen) and "atomized."
OH my gosh. Just put on the Taneyev to see if I could tell - and that's actually my favorite part of Petrushka (if I had to choose)!
Stravinsky did a similar thing transforming Rimsky-Korsakov's Night on Mount Triglav into the danse infernale from Firebird.
The 2nd Symphony of Miaskovsky is less in Rachmaninov style and more in that of programme compositions of Tchaikovsky and especially of Scriabin. As the 1st Symphony it has still some aspects of a school work (I wonder if the later symphonies lose this feature) but nevertheless listening to it was for me the real pleasure.
Well as promised, Monday I listened to all the Prokofiev symphonies... asterisks* denote that these were the first time I ever heard the pieces.
#1: An old favorite. It almost shouldn't count, it's so different from the other six.
#2: Great symphony. Liked the first movement, loved the variations. The quieter Prokofiev gets, the more interesting I find him.
#3*: Enjoyed this the least of the seven.
#4*: Loved the slow movement, meh on the rest.
#5: My appreciation of this has definitely gone up recently, although the catchiness of the scherzo definitely still gets most of my attention.
#6*: The largo slow movement might now be my favorite movement from any Prokofiev symphony. It's utterly incredible. The rest I didn't take to as quickly, but I liked it.
#7*: Definitely want to hear this again, stat. This will almost certainly be my favorite of the seven. Just what I'd spent the first six symphonies waiting to hear, in a way.
Quote from: Brian on March 13, 2013, 09:43:58 AM
Well as promised, Monday I listened to all the Prokofiev symphonies... asterisks* denote that these were the first time I ever heard the pieces.
#1: An old favorite. It almost shouldn't count, it's so different from the other six.
#2: Great symphony. Liked the first movement, loved the variations. The quieter Prokofiev gets, the more interesting I find him.
#3*: Enjoyed this the least of the seven.
#4*: Loved the slow movement, meh on the rest.
#5: My appreciation of this has definitely gone up recently, although the catchiness of the scherzo definitely still gets most of my attention.
#6*: The largo slow movement might now be my favorite movement from any Prokofiev symphony. It's utterly incredible. The rest I didn't take to as quickly, but I liked it.
#7*: Definitely want to hear this again, stat. This will almost certainly be my favorite of the seven. Just what I'd spent the first six symphonies waiting to hear, in a way.
Well done, Brian.
For the
3rd I would suggest listening to
The Fiery Angel, the opera containing the music where Prokofiev pulled his symphony together. It's quite impressive how he dissected the opera, even placing the music in the symphony in a different order than how it appears throughout the opera.
Did you hear both versions of the
4th?
The
6th will grow on you. I think I dismissed it myself for a few years while I was getting into Prokofiev. I find it to be his most enigmatic symphony, but with the right performance it can be the most rewarding.
The
7th has long been a favorite of mine, it was written for a children's program, but instead of seeing as music
for children, I imagine it being more a nostalgic look back at being a child.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 13, 2013, 10:02:10 AM
Did you hear both versions of the 4th?
I heard the shorter 1930 version only.
I can imagine that the Sixth will grow on me - it was the violent, abrupt ending that threw me most, but again, that central slow movement I connected with immediately and deeply. Can't imagine that the Seventh was for children! Now I think I need to hear it again in that context.
Well, IIRC, the two middle movements of the Seventh were cannibalized from music for a melodrama of Evgeny Onegin . . . not exactly a children's story : )
Quote from: Brian on March 13, 2013, 11:04:48 AM
I can imagine that the Sixth will grow on me - it was the violent, abrupt ending that threw me most...
The finale is a big reason why I refer to it as
enigmatic. The opening bars seem cheerful, only to be disrupted by the low pounding of the piano and low strings. This sort of back and forth, light and dark is found throughout. At once it's triumphant, but can quickly turn sour. And the ending is a punch to the face. But, it does end on a major chord, kinda tricky.
Quote from: karlhenning on March 13, 2013, 11:10:38 AM
Well, IIRC, the two middle movements of the Seventh were cannibalized from music for a melodrama of Evgeny Onegin . . . not exactly a children's story : )
I'm searching online for a good write up on the 7th (I'm sure I can find some good stuff in a few of my disc booklets) but it was written for a children's radio program. I know the score by Prokofiev (for the Evgeny Onegin play) was never actually performed when it was written, so perhaps he did re-use some of the music.
Quote from: karlhenning on March 13, 2013, 08:17:28 AM
Pshaw! You are no nincompoop, Ray.
It is the Dance of the Coachmen & Grooms, track 13 on the Composer's Own recording. Characteristically of Stravinsky, the tune is a bit heavier of tread (to suit the coachmen) and "atomized."
Ah yes! That is also one of my favourite moments in Petruskha. The D of the C&G. 8)
How about a symphony conducted and played by Russians...? That ok?
(http://imageshack.us/a/img254/4736/boxfr1.jpg)
Quote from: huntsman on March 14, 2013, 02:21:28 AM
How about a symphony conducted and played by Russians...? That ok?
(http://imageshack.us/a/img254/4736/boxfr1.jpg)
Do they make Sibelius sound Russian? ;)
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 14, 2013, 03:28:13 AM
Do they make Sibelius sound Russian? ;)
Well, he was born in Russian territory ; )
Quote from: karlhenning on March 14, 2013, 04:30:09 AM
Well, he was born in Russian territory ; )
'Zakli....thanks kh! ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on March 14, 2013, 04:30:09 AM
Well, he was born in Russian territory ; )
Ah, a little history lesson, I was unaware. Grand Duchy of Finland as part of the Russian Empire until the Russian Revolution.
Learn something new everyday.
Working my way backward through the Gliere symphonies:
(http://boxset.ru/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/downes_gliere_symphony_no3.jpg)
Back when most of you were still souls at the bottom of the sea, I remember enthusiastic discussions of the 2-record set by Hermann Scherchen and the Vienna State Symphony vs. the heavily edited Stokowski version.
Scherchen was the winner in my circle!
Quote from: Brian on March 13, 2013, 09:43:58 AM
#7*: Definitely want to hear this again, stat. This will almost certainly be my favorite of the seven. Just what I'd spent the first six symphonies waiting to hear, in a way.
My prediction came true 8)
Quote from: Brian on March 07, 2013, 07:15:21 PM
Horrible, terrible confession: I've only heard 1, 2, and 5. And I've only heard 2 once, about four years ago.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 08, 2013, 06:54:42 AM
Listen to the Seventh...you'll love it...I guarantee.
Sarge
P.S. For a first listen, avoid performances that include the revised "happy ending"--a silly addition that he tacked on in order to win a Soviet prize. Performances of the original include those by Rostropovich, Ozawa, Gergiev, Kitajenko, Kosler, Rozhdestvensky and my favorite, Tennstedt.
Quote from: Cato on March 19, 2013, 03:46:39 AM
Working my way backward through the Gliere symphonies:
(http://boxset.ru/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/downes_gliere_symphony_no3.jpg)
I should mention that this is a great performance:
Downes and Company are excellent throughout.
I should look up the old
Scherchen performance mentioned above. I do not believe it is a stereo recording, but had - back in the good old days - the most complete version of the score.
I am reminded of
Toscanini's great rendition of
Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony. For a good number of years I did not realize that it was an edited version, so that it would fit onto one record.
Thanks everyone for this thread; I didn't participate in this this listening project, but the discussion and mass-hysteria is making me acquire quite a few items that I've been thinking about for a while. Maybe we can have a Russian Symphony Month Part II. Here's a question:
re: Gliere Symph. #3 by Downes, on Chandos:
Quote from: Cato on March 19, 2013, 06:50:23 AM
I should mention that this is a great performance: Downes and Company are excellent throughout.
I was thinking of getting the Chandos box of Gliere's orchestral music by BBC/Downes/Sinaisky (cover below); is the quality control just as good throughout those recordings? And, I guess, the material as well? (I don't know a bit of Gliere, so it would be a first encounter.) Pardon if this has been discussed already, as it must have...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Or-P1FjbL.jpg)
Quote from: Octave on March 19, 2013, 09:16:00 PM
Thanks everyone for this thread; I didn't participate in this this listening project, but the discussion and mass-hysteria is making me acquire quite a few items that I've been thinking about for a while. Maybe we can have a Russian Symphony Month Part II. Here's a question:
re: Gliere Symph. #3 by Downes, on Chandos:
I was thinking of getting the Chandos box of Gliere's orchestral music by BBC/Downes/Sinaisky (cover below); is the quality control just as good throughout those recordings? And, I guess, the material as well? (I don't know a bit of Gliere, so it would be a first encounter.) Pardon if this has been discussed already, as it must have...
I'm very happy to hear this, Octave. This one post makes me happy I self-declared March as Russian Symphony Month! :)
I may extend my own personal listening of RSMM into April as I still have tons of Myaskovsky symphonies to dive into! ;D
Quote from: Octave on March 19, 2013, 09:16:00 PM
Thanks everyone for this thread; I didn't participate in this this listening project, but the discussion and mass-hysteria is making me acquire quite a few items that I've been thinking about for a while. Maybe we can have a Russian Symphony Month Part II. Here's a question:
re: Gliere Symph. #3 by Downes, on Chandos:
I was thinking of getting the Chandos box of Gliere's orchestral music by BBC/Downes/Sinaisky (cover below); is the quality control just as good throughout those recordings? And, I guess, the material as well? (I don't know a bit of Gliere, so it would be a first encounter.) Pardon if this has been discussed already, as it must have...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Or-P1FjbL.jpg)
Buy with confidence.
So far, I've listened to 64 Russian symphonies in March. All of Rimsky-Korsakov's, Tchaikovsky's, Taneyev's, Stravinsky's, a few Shostakovich, Prokofiev, all of Glazunov (except for #8), Rachmaninov and a half dozen or so Myaskovsky.
The fantastic journey continues! :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 20, 2013, 05:33:33 AM
So far, I've listened to 64 Russian symphonies in March. All of Rimsky-Korsakov's, Tchaikovsky's, Taneyev's, Stravinsky's, a few Shostakovich, Prokofiev, all of Glazunov (except for #8), Rachmaninov and a half dozen or so Myaskovsky.
Any Kalinnikov? Don't miss his G minor (Friedmann's performance if possible).
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 20, 2013, 05:57:23 AM
Any Kalinnikov? Don't miss his G minor (Friedmann's performance if possible).
Sarge
Alas, Sarge. I do not have any Kalinnikov works in my collection (so far). Bazooka blast away! ;D
Quote from: Octave on March 19, 2013, 09:16:00 PM
Thanks everyone for this thread; I didn't participate in this this listening project, but the discussion and mass-hysteria is making me acquire quite a few items that I've been thinking about for a while. Maybe we can have a Russian Symphony Month Part II. Here's a question:
re: Gliere Symph. #3 by Downes, on Chandos:
I was thinking of getting the Chandos box of Gliere's orchestral music by BBC/Downes/Sinaisky (cover below); is the quality control just as good throughout those recordings? And, I guess, the material as well? (I don't know a bit of Gliere, so it would be a first encounter.) Pardon if this has been discussed already, as it must have...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Or-P1FjbL.jpg)
McUkrneal is quite correct: they are fun works! There are some sneering comments about the
First Symphony being highly derivative, but one hears e.g. echoes of
Scriabin throughout the
Third Symphony.
Gliere is not
Scriabin and certainly not
Schoenberg, but I think the symphonies and some of the tone poems are enjoyable, fun works.
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 20, 2013, 05:59:24 AM
Alas, Sarge. I do not have any Kalinnikov works in my collection (so far). Bazooka blast away! ;D
I'll hold my fire...but not my pity ;) Really, it's a must hear. The second subject of the first movement is one of the most beautiful melodies in the Russian literature. The Friedmann can be had for $4 CDN. Kuchar, on Naxos, isn't bad either.
Sarge
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 20, 2013, 05:33:33 AM
So far, I've listened to 64 Russian symphonies in March. All of Rimsky-Korsakov's, Tchaikovsky's, Taneyev's, Stravinsky's, a few Shostakovich, Prokofiev, all of Glazunov (except for #8), Rachmaninov and a half dozen or so Myaskovsky.
The fantastic journey continues! :)
You better hurry - you have a lot of work to do! Potentially still ahead: 2 Arensky, 2 Bortkiewicz, 2 Balakirev, 2 Kalinnikov, 6 Rubinstein, 4 Tcherepnin, 2 Tchaikovsky (Boris), 3 Gliere, 5 Grechaninov, 4 Kabalevsky, 8 Pavlova, 2 Lyapunov, and I am sure there are more I have missed... :)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 20, 2013, 06:10:08 AM
I'll hold my fire...but not my pity ;) Really, it's a must hear. The second subject of the first movement is one of the most beautiful melodies in the Russian literature. The Friedmann can be had for $4 CDN. Kuchar, on Naxos, isn't bad either.
Sarge
Thanks for sparing me, Sarge! ;D And thank you so much for the recommendations! :)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 20, 2013, 06:10:08 AM
Really, (Kalinnikov's First Symphony is) a must hear. The second subject of the first movement is one of the most beautiful melodies in the Russian literature. The Friedmann can be had for $4 CDN. Kuchar, on Naxos, isn't bad either.
Sarge
I recall distinctly the first time the
Kalinnikov recordings came out c. 40 + years ago, and my friends and I agreed that Music lost a great composer much too early. Certainly he stands well next to e.g.
Rachmaninov.
Thanks Cato and MCU for the Gliere feedback.
Quote from: sanantonio on March 20, 2013, 03:21:07 PM
I just discovered that I like Prokofiev symphonies.
Listening to No. 2
(* pounds the table *)
Mentioned earlier as a favorite by several people was Scriabin's Symphony #3 : I like this one for various reasons, although other good performances are available (e.g. Sinopoli on DGG).
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/012/MI0001012331.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
Revisiting the symphonies of Alexander Tcherepnin:
[asin]B001JFKVQI[/asin]
The First Symphony gives a fairly good example of Tcherepnin's polyphonic technique known as interpoint, which has roots in medieval polyphony, but is somewhat different:
See:
http://www.tcherepnin.com/alex/basic_elem2.htm (http://www.tcherepnin.com/alex/basic_elem2.htm)
The Scherzo is not very long, but is played only by the percussion and shows the importance of rhythmic motifs in the work.
Experimenting with harmonies in seconds, as well as the above techniques, the First Symphony is a fun work!
Quote from: Cato on March 25, 2013, 03:38:07 PM
The Scherzo is not very long, but is played only by the percussion and shows the importance of rhythmic motifs in the work.
I am instantly putting this on my list of what to listen to for the rest of the week because of this! :D
Going to miss this Russian month!! Plenty more to listen to though! :)
Cato, your nutshell description of Tcherepnin makes him sound very interesting to me.
The only good thing about Russian Symphonies Month lasting only a month is that the amount of damage done to my bank account is practically limited. That said, these "listening club" months should probably be seasons not months; at any rate, they could be!
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 25, 2013, 03:50:52 PM
I am instantly putting this on my list of what to listen to for the rest of the week because of this! :D
Going to miss this Russian month!! Plenty more to listen to though! :)
I'm happy Daniel, that you and others have been enjoying Russian Symphony March Madness. I've listened to so much of it this month, but lately I've been listening to a lot of first listen ballet works (non-Russian). ;D
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 25, 2013, 03:50:52 PM
I am instantly putting this on my list of what to listen to for the rest of the week because of this! :D
Going to miss this Russian month!! Plenty more to listen to though! :)
Quote from: Octave on March 25, 2013, 03:58:59 PM
Cato, your nutshell description of Tcherepnin makes him sound very interesting to me.
I hope the actual experience matches the anticipation! $:)
I will write a little more about each symphony later in the week: actually, the strongest works are the Piano Concertos. In the 1960's, DGG released a record of the
Second and
Fifth Concertos with
Tcherepnin at the keyboard and
Kubelik on the podium. I was "converted" by the
Second Concerto: the
Fifth needed time to grow on me, but I have had people tell me just the opposite.
To be sure, there are a few clunkers in his oeuvre (the
Suite Georgienne comes to mind). It would be nice to have the ballets recorded, e.g.
The Abyss.
Aha! I do know some Tcherepnin, thougb obviously not well enough to remember that I do. A couple pieces on the Pletnev ENCHANTED KINGDOM disc, in fact the piece from which the disc draws its name. :-[
No idea how Pletnev's recordings rate among Tcherepnin interpretations, but I do remember liking those very much.
It also seems that Brilliant has a cheap 2cd of the same (?) recordings of the piano concertos included in that Bis box; probably a moot point for me, if those recordings of the symphonies are well worth having.
Quote
Anyway, right now: the Symphony #2 by Alexander Tcherepnin. I first heard this on the old Louisville Symphony label, and was much enthused by it.
I should mention that the BIS recording with
Lan Shui conducting the
Singapore Symphony Orchestra is most excellent. An energetic performance and (especially) superior sound make it preferable over the Louisville.
[asin]B00002R15J[/asin]
The Third Symphony of Alexander Tcherepnin has the subtitle of "Chinese Symphony," which was not his idea, but his publisher's.
The opening movements do not sound particularly "Chinese" especially if one is expecting a Richard Rodgers Orientalism in the music. The Adagio is more overtly "Chinese."
I should mention that Tcherepnin married a Chinese lady, a pianist named Lee Hsing Ming. So there was interest in things Chinese!
The work is perhaps a little more conservative tonally than the first two symphonies, given the pentatonic scales, but its structure tends to be one of constant development with few if any repetitions.
I was lucky to buy this CD some years ago when it was still reasonably priced:
[asin]B000027AD0[/asin]
Quote from: Cato on March 28, 2013, 08:09:20 AM
The Third Symphony of Alexander Tcherepnin has the subtitle of "Chinese Symphony," which was not his idea, but his publisher's.
The opening movements do not sound particularly "Chinese" especially if one is expecting a Richard Rodgers Orientalism in the music. The Adagio is more overtly "Chinese."
I should mention that Tcherepnin married a Chinese lady, a pianist named Lee Hsing Ming. So there was interest in things Chinese!
The work is perhaps a little more conservative tonally than the first two symphonies, given the pentatonic scales, but its structure tends to be one of constant development with few if any repetitions.
I was lucky to buy this CD some years ago when it was still reasonably priced:
[asin]B000027AD0[/asin]
The
Fourth Symphony of
Tcherepnin is tantalizing in its three movements, showing the composer developing his style in new ways: it reminds me -
somewhat, in a spirit of brotherhood, so to speak - of the
Borodin Second Symphony and its roots in
Beethoven, in that a compact drama takes place. The work is perhaps the biggest dramatically of the symphonies.
[asin]B00003NHBE[/asin]
Personally, I have always felt as if the work is unfinished. The third movement acts as mini-adagio and finale: perhaps I am greedy and want a fourth movement, but the composer gives us 3 and says the work is finished!
Again
Lan Shui and the
Singapore Symphony offer a fine performance on BIS.
Also today, and highly recommended:
[asin]B00002DET9[/asin]
Final RSMM, finishing off with my second run through Jarvi's Prokofiev set
Prokofiev
Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical'
Symphony No. 4, Op. 112 (revised 1947 version)
Jarvi
Scottish National Orchestra
Chandos
[asin]B001HY4TLE[/asin]
*I want to thank everyone that participated (hopefully willingly). ;D I immensely enjoyed this month, listening to old favourites, while discovering countless other beautiful Russian symphonies (and other Russian gems non-symphonic). Cheerioo!
My rather limited participation in RSSM:
Rachmnaninov--Symphonies and other works/RNSO, Rletnev cond.
Tchaikovsky--Symphonies 4-6 and other works/RSSO, Polyansky cond.
Rimsky Korsakov--Symphonies and other works/Philharmonia, Y. Butt cond.
Most fortunate part was reacquainting myself with R-K's symphonies and first acquaintance with the lesser works that were used as fillers. Also a productive first listen ever to Rachmaninov's The Bells.
It's all over! Stop listening to Russian symphonies. Repeat: you are NO LONGER ALLOWED to listen to Russian symphonies. They have been banned. Thank you.
;)
:D That's right, Brian! It's time to move onto Impressionistic and Expressionistic music. May the faun be with you! :D
Wow, does April comprise Expressionistic music too? Very good! :)
I was up until 2 in the morning yesterday trying to fit in Shosty 10 before the end of RSMM!! Pure dedication ;)
I'd say that at least 90% of what I listened to last month were Russian symphonies!! Here's the list!!
Arensky 1
Balakirev 2
Bortkiewicz 2
Glazunov 4, 5
Gliere 3
Kalinnikov 1
Khachaturian 2
Miaskovsky 24
Popov 2
Prokofiev 1-7
Rachmaninov 1-3 + Choral
Rimsky Korsakov 2
Scriabin 1-3
Shostakovich 5, 6, 10, 12
Stravinsky Psalms/Three Movements
Taneyev 4
Tchaikovsky 1-6
That's 38 Russian symphonies!! :D
Loved this month a lot, thanks, Ray! :)
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 01, 2013, 04:09:42 AM
I was up until 2 in the morning yesterday trying to fit in Shosty 10 before the end of RSMM!! Pure dedication ;)
I'd say that at least 90% of what I listened to last month were Russian symphonies!! Here's the list!!
Arensky 1
Balakirev 2
Bortkiewicz 2
Glazunov 4, 5
Gliere 3
Kalinnikov 1
Khachaturian 2
Miaskovsky 24
Popov 2
Prokofiev 1-7
Rachmaninov 1-3 + Choral
Rimsky Korsakov 2
Scriabin 1-3
Shostakovich 5, 6, 10, 12
Stravinsky Psalms/Three Movements
Taneyev 4
Tchaikovsky 1-6
That's 38 Russian symphonies!! :D
Loved this month a lot, thanks, Ray! :)
You're welcome Daniel. Although no need to thank me. Thank yourself for treating yourself to many Russian symphonies. I'm glad you enjoyed and participated in RSMM. I was really floored by the vast amount of participation by so many! :)
Daniel, I think you earned the palme d'or . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on April 01, 2013, 04:20:26 AM
Daniel, I think you earned the palme d'or . . . .
Hold on, Karl. Wait until I divulge my RSMM list! ;D
Hoom, hom . . . let us not be hasty . . . .
87 Russian symphonies, by my count (but this includes repeated listens). ;D
Zowie.
Just the palme d'argent for you, Daniel! : )
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 01, 2013, 04:59:13 AM
87 Russian symphonies, by my count (but this includes repeated listens). ;D
Nut, did you listen to the Kalinnikov G minor? That was my main contribution to the Russian month: encouraging people to listen to it. Some did for the first time, and loved it; very gratifying. As far as my own listening, I wasn't the most prolific participant :D
Arensky 1 & 2
Kalinnikov 1 & 2
Prokofiev 1 & 7
Shostakovich 9
Tcherepin 1
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 01, 2013, 05:07:11 AM
Nut, did you listen to the Kalinnikov G minor? That was my main contribution to the Russian month: encouraging people to listen to it. Some did for the first time, and loved it; very gratifying. As far as my own listening, I wasn't the most prolific participant :D
Arensky 1 & 2
Kalinnikov 1 & 2
Prokofiev 1 & 7
Shostakovich 9
Tcherepin 1
Sarge
I haven't. He's on my list though for future exploration, to be sure! :)
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 01, 2013, 02:41:49 AM
Wow, does April comprise Expressionistic music too? Very good! :)
It sure does! :D
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 01, 2013, 05:24:48 AM
It sure does! :D
That's great; it will certainly be interesting to compare Impressionism and Expressionism.
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 01, 2013, 04:59:13 AM
87 Russian symphonies, by my count (but this includes repeated listens). ;D
:o I have been beaten! >:D ;D
Enjoyed the RSMM very much, although I could have listened to more.
Here's what I listened to, the bold ones were first listens
Shostakovich: 8th, 9th, 15th
Prokofiev: 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Rakhmaninov : 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Tchaikovsky 2nd, 4th, 6th (Pletnev) 4th, 5th (Sokhiev)
Borodin 2nd
Miaskovsky 24th
Rimsky-Korsakov Antar
Glière 3rd
Taneyev 4th
So 21 listened symphony recordings in total, and 20 symphonies, from 9 composers, including 2 first listens of composers.
Only 151 days left to March 1st, 2014. :laugh:
Seriously, I'm obsessed with Russian symphonies, and Russian music in general. I need help. :(
I will add more Russian symphonists next year to the mix (some I haven't heard yet).
Like Schnittke, Kalinnikov, and a few others.
I've only heard one or two works by Schnittke (can't remember what it was, a chamber piece that was very haunting!), and have not heard any Kalinnikov. Lots to explore and look forward to.
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 30, 2013, 03:57:31 PM
...Seriously, I'm obsessed with Russian symphonies, and Russian music in general. I need help. :( ...
Would you like to try some Russian opera? :)
Quote from: jochanaan on October 01, 2013, 07:27:50 AM
Would you like to try some Russian opera? :)
or Schnittke? ;)
Quote from: jochanaan on October 01, 2013, 07:27:50 AM
Would you like to try some Russian opera? :)
Indeed! :) I've only heard a handful, and will continue exploring. In the process of exploring some of Rimsky-Korsakov's operas.
I've heard Boris Godunov (not the whole thing), and absolutely love Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Eugene Onegin.
I have a DVD of The Nose, but I did not enjoy it as much as Lady...
When it comes to opera, it takes a while for me to dive right in. ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 01, 2013, 05:31:09 PM
Indeed! :) I've only heard a handful, and will continue exploring. In the process of exploring some of Rimsky-Korsakov's operas.
Although I'm not actually familiar with any of the Rimsky operas, I've played excerpts and heard suites from several of them. It would seem, from what I've heard, that RK's operas contain much of his best music. Some of the old music books rate RK as an even better composer than Tchaikovsky, even though what we mostly hear now is only Scheherazade and the Russian Easter Overture; maybe it's time for a re-evaluation of the Rimsky operas.
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 01, 2013, 05:31:09 PM
I've heard Boris Godunov (not the whole thing), and absolutely love Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Eugene Onegin.
I may have heard Boris once, and of course I've heard the coronation scene. I'm completely unfamiliar with Lady Macbeth, but I've seen Onegin twice--magnificent music, like hearing a Tchaikovsky symphony for three solid hours. It is said that the Russian church prohibited theaters for several centuries, only relaxing its stance in the nineteenth century--but the Russians definitely "made up for lost time." Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov were known during their lifetimes mostly as opera composers.
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 01, 2013, 05:31:09 PM
When it comes to opera, it takes a while for me to dive right in. ;D
Understandable. The best way to experience operas, though, is to both hear and see them. Operatic excerpt albums really don't give one the full experience of a great opera; it's meant to be both heard and seen. And by no means all the singers are "fat ladies"! ;D If you can't afford actually to attend an opera, try to find a good video recording. (That might be difficult with the Rimsky-Korsakov operas; I'm not sure how many of them have even been recorded!)
Quote from: jochanaan on October 01, 2013, 08:27:39 PM
If you can't afford actually to attend an opera, try to find a good video recording. (That might be difficult with the Rimsky-Korsakov operas; I'm not sure how many of them have even been recorded!)
Most of them were or have been on DVD. I'd start with Sadko, which I think closest in terms of musical expectations.
The second year of Russian Symphony March Madness has begun (for anyone wanting to participate again this year). :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 04:14:23 AM
The second year of Russian Symphony March Madness has begun (for anyone wanting to participate again this year). :)
What about Russian quartets? Not that we have exhausted the symphonic genre...
Quote from: springrite on March 01, 2014, 04:28:10 AM
What about Russian quartets? Not that we have exhausted the symphonic genre...
The rules are very simple, Paul.....you may bend the rules as much as you like. :D
Feel free to listen to any music you like. Russian Quartets are OK in my books. I'm listening to the Tchaikovsky String Sextet right now as I am typing this. ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 04:39:07 AM
The rules are very simple, Paul.....you may bend the rules as much as you like. :D
Feel free to listen to any music you like. Russian Quartets are OK in my books. I'm listening to the Tchaikovsky String Sextet right now as I am typing this. ;D
I am going through the Myaskovsky quartet cycle, of which I think I am missing one CD, though...
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 04:39:07 AM
The rules are very simple, Paul.....you may bend the rules as much as you like. :D
Feel free to listen to any music you like. Russian Quartets are OK in my books. I'm listening to the Tchaikovsky String Sextet right now as I am typing this. ;D
Souvenir de Florence is below the green lemon!
Quote from: springrite on March 01, 2014, 04:54:26 AM
I am going through the Myaskovsky quartet cycle, of which I think I am missing one CD, though...
The only quartet of his I know is the wonderful a minor quartet on one of the
Pacifica Quartet volumes. Which two other quartets would you strongly commend,
Paul?
Quote from: springrite on March 01, 2014, 04:54:26 AM
I am going through the Myaskovsky quartet cycle, of which I think I am missing one CD, though...
I have the complete cycle, performed by the Taneyev Quartet on Northern Flowers label. Myaskovsky's quartets are excellent. Which CD are you missing? There are 5 CDs.
Quote from: karlhenning on March 01, 2014, 05:48:25 AM
Souvenir de Florence is below the green lemon!
The only quartet of his I know is the wonderful a minor quartet on one of the Pacifica Quartet volumes. Which two other quartets would you strongly commend, Paul?
Agreed, Karl re: Souvenir....
Ahh, that must be Myaskovsky's final Quartet # 13 in A minor. A dandy indeed. My favourite, Karl, is M # 12 in G major. # 13 is a near favourite, though.
Thread duty for RSMM!
Myaskovsky
Symphony No. 12 in G minor, Op. 35 Kolkhoznaya (Collective Farm)
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 18
Svetlanov
Orchestre Symphonique d'Etat de la Federation de Russie
Warner Music
Fantastic works and recordings! :)
[asin]B000XCTD5S[/asin]
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 27, 2013, 07:22:01 AM
It's going to be a busy month of March! On my menu:
The symphonies of (in various random order, to be determined later):
Prokofiev
Taneyev
Tchaikovsky
Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Rimsky-Korsakov
Myaskovsky
Rachmaninov
Glazunov
No Kalinnikov? Borodin?
Quote from: Ken B on March 01, 2014, 06:58:08 AM
No Kalinnikov? Borodin?
I don't have any recordings of their symphonies. And I'm on a spending hiatus for awhile. :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 05:59:39 AM
Thread duty for RSMM!
Myaskovsky
Symphony No. 12 in G minor, Op. 35 Kolkhoznaya (Collective Farm)
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 18
Svetlanov
Orchestre Symphonique d'Etat de la Federation de Russie
Warner Music
Fantastic works and recordings! :)
[asin]B000XCTD5S[/asin]
Pounds table. Bought this on a whim. Fantastic box.
Quote from: Ken B on March 01, 2014, 07:08:31 AM
Pounds table. Bought this on a whim. Fantastic box.
Exactly my situation, Ken. I bought this on a whim last year also, and specifically for March 2013 Russian Symphony Month. :D I had never heard a note of Miaskovsky before then.
This box was highly recommended by Harry, John (Mirror Image) and Jeffrey (Vandermolen). Exceeding all my expectations, and so have Miaskovsky's string quartets.
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 07:19:46 AM
Exactly my situation, Ken. I bought this on a whim last year also, and specifically for March 2013 Russian Symphony Month. :D I had never heard a note of Miaskovsky before then.
This box was highly recommended by Harry, John (Mirror Image) and Jeffrey (Vandermolen). Exceeding all my expectations, and so have Miaskovsky's string quartets.
Oyveh. I just looked at Amazon for the quartets. I may never get over the sticker shock. They go on my mental, search the used bins list. Until then I have Taneyev :)
Quote from: Ken B on March 01, 2014, 07:42:49 AM
Oyveh. I just looked at Amazon for the quartets. I may never get over the sticker shock. They go on my mental, search the used bins list. Until then I have Taneyev :)
I ordered the Miaskovsky string quartets via The Russian Shop. They were pricey, but well worth the investment. :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 07:54:19 AM
I ordered the Miaskovsky string quartets via The Russian Shop. They were pricey, but well worth the investment. :)
I can wait, when you want everything you just keep looking. Some here claim to have a Russian soul. Mine is pure Scots! :D
Quote from: Ken B on March 01, 2014, 08:00:48 AM
I can wait, when you want everything you just keep looking. Some here claim to have a Russian soul. Mine is pure Scots! :D
:D
Well, I'm French Canadian for several generations (both my mother and father's side), before tracing my ancestry roots to Normandy, France. Yet, even at that, I do feel I have a Russian soul. I love Russian classical music and old Russian culture.
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 08:10:36 AM
:D
Well, I'm French Canadian for several generations (both my mother and father's side), before tracing my ancestry roots to Normandy, France. Yet, even at that, I do feel I have a Russian soul. I love Russian classical music and old Russian culture.
I'm Canadian too. As far as I know all my great grand parents were born in Canada, some before Confederation. Before that northern England, Ireland, Scotland.
So do we have a Russian Symphonies Month now in 2014? 8)
I am ready to join!
Just like everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's Day, so anyone at any time can suddenly become a happy-sad Russian! ;D
Quote from: Ken B on March 01, 2014, 08:14:55 AM
I'm Canadian too. As far as I know all my great grand parents were born in Canada, some before Confederation. Before that northern England, Ireland, Scotland.
I did not know that Ken. Where were you born?
Quote from: Cato on March 01, 2014, 08:15:56 AM
So do we have a Russian Symphonies Month now in 2014? 8)
I am ready to join!
Indeed, Cato! :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 01, 2014, 08:16:25 AM
I did not know that Ken. Where were you born?
Ajax Ontario, grew up in Guelph, lived in Kingston for too long :)
Where for several years, before the CBC arrived I controlled all the classical music you could hear on radio.
Quote from: Ken B on March 01, 2014, 08:20:44 AM
Ajax Ontario, grew up in Guelph, lived in Kingston for too long :)
Where for several years, before the CBC arrived I controlled all the classical music you could hear on radio.
Interesting Ken! :)
I've got a head start, having been knee-deep in the Prokofiev symphonies for a week already now . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on March 01, 2014, 08:40:12 AM
I've got a head start, having been knee-deep in the Prokofiev symphonies for a week already now . . . .
+1 Karl!! :)
That's a lovely idea, I'll start immediately from Rachmaninov! :D
Shouldn't we have a break away Republics symphony month instead? Ukraine, Latvia, even Finland?