Finding hidden gems in Svetlanov's Anthology of Russian Music series

[lordlance]

All 100+ discs of Svetlanov's ARSM series is now on Spotify which is great news but unfortunately it's sheer size makes it difficult to find the gems among the less distinguished pieces. So to those who have favorite works from Svetlanov's ARSM series, what pieces do you recommend listening to? (instrumental that is)

Side-note: Since I am trying to find obscure-ish pieces, we can rule out the greatest hits like Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Borodin 2 and Scriabin.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Rostislav Boiko.

[Brian]

Oh wow. This is a very interesting topic and I'm going to follow along with curiosity.

My college library 12 years ago had an extensive Svetlanov collection from the Russian archives. Many of his performances of the obscure romantic Russian repertoire are by far the best, most exciting, most enthusiastic versions available. Examples that I still remember 12 years later include Balakirev tone poems like Tamara and In Bohemia, the Glazunov "Stenka Razin," ... okay I don't remember any others. It's been a long time. 

[Roasted Swan]

Not sure if its included in that 100 disc survey but Svetlanov's recordings of the Khrennikov Symphonies are pretty exciting!

Oh... I think its this one....

[vandermolen]

Not sure if its included in that 100 disc survey but Svetlanov's recordings of the Khrennikov Symphonies are pretty exciting!

Oh... I think its this one....

Symphony No.2 is especially impressive.

[Maestro267]

Shame the composer was such an asshole. Should be cancelled to hell for all he did.

[vandermolen]

Shame the composer was such an asshole. Should be cancelled to hell for all he did.

Yes, although he did point out that, (despite his appalling reputation), no composer lost their lives during his time in office and he was not replaced after the collapse of the USSR. This has always interested/puzzled me.

[relm1]

Shame the composer was such an asshole. Should be cancelled to hell for all he did.

I don't know.  I err on the side of judge the art separately from the artist otherwise you have to ditch Wagner and other assholes too.  Similarly, if someone is great - that doesn't necessarily make their artistry great.

[Mirror Image]

I'm not sure about "hidden" but the various recordings of Shchedrin are outstanding.

[Roasted Swan]

I was recently talking to a colleague about a pianist for whom I have a really high regard.  No names etc but it turns out that this particular pianist is a prize pain-in-the-proverbial which doesn't stop him being a great pianist but saddens me in a fairly foolish way.  Somehow I like the idea that an artist I admire should also be a human being I admire too.  A trite and idealistic notion I know but there you are!

[vandermolen]

I was recently talking to a colleague about a pianist for whom I have a really high regard.  No names etc but it turns out that this particular pianist is a prize pain-in-the-proverbial which doesn't stop him being a great pianist but saddens me in a fairly foolish way.  Somehow I like the idea that an artist I admire should also be a human being I admire too.  A trite and idealistic notion I know but there you are!

OT
I rather share your view. I remember, many years ago, taking a group of GCSE students for a back stage tour of the National Theatre after they had finished their exams. During the tour one of the pupils asked the young student, who was showing us around, if she could tell us anything about the actors who worked at the NT. After thinking for a moment she said that 'X' (Dame of the British Empire 'National Treasure' etc) was 'an absolute cow'. It reminded me of that maxim that you should judge people by how they treat others who can be of no use to them.

[Maestro267]

Big difference is that Wagner's music is masterful, whereas Khrennikov's is boring as hell.

[Irons]

Not hidden, but my epitaph for Svetlanov is his endeavour to record all the Miaskovsky symphonies. When the money ran out he paid for the recording sessions out of his own pocket. 

[vandermolen]

Not hidden, but my epitaph for Svetlanov is his endeavour to record all the Miaskovsky symphonies. When the money ran out he paid for the recording sessions out of his own pocket.

Yes, this was a true labour of love.

[lordlance]

Working my way through ARSM:

1. Hard to think of Glinka as some sort of forgotten genius. Most of the music really is truly B/C-tier. 
2. Glazunov's Oriental Rhapsody is like a dollar-store version of Scheherazade. lol
3. Schehdrin is a really delightful composer. I heard his first PC. This is 'accessible modernism' in the vein of folks like Shostakovich.
4. Khrennikov - despite whatever his political actions may have been - is also a composer whose style is approachable. I enjoyed both the Third Symphony and the Second Piano Concerto.


(Not quite on topic I know but don't want to create a new topic for it.)

5. Tchaikovsky's Fatum is a very enjoyable work. I heard the performance by Temirkanov/RPO. Dave would've loved it I imagine because the tam-tam is indeed audible. It's also very well-recorded. I believe it's slightly slower than other performances but in any case it's Tchaikovsky at his most raucous self.

[Symphonic Addict]

The recording of Shchedrin's Symphony No. 1 is definitely a highlight on this series to me. Love that work! And it is in my favorite key, E-flat minor.

[foxandpeng]

The recording of Shchedrin's Symphony No. 1 is definitely a highlight on this series to me. Love that work! And it is in my favorite key, E-flat minor.

Agreed!

[Symphonic Addict]

Agreed!

A pity that his 2nd symphony doesn't reach the same height in inspiration IMO.

[foxandpeng]

A pity that his 2nd symphony doesn't reach the same height in inspiration IMO.

I must admit, I do like it, though.

[vandermolen]

The recording of Shchedrin's Symphony No. 1 is definitely a highlight on this series to me. Love that work! And it is in my favorite key, E-flat minor.

Definitely!

I don't know if Parsadanian's 1st Symphony 'In Memory of the Commissars of Baku' is in the set but that IMO is a hidden gem.