By slightly strange circumstances, my tapes and CDs are both up to group of Russian composers.
I open with Prokofiev. I think that Prokofiev is one of the first composers most of us encounter, because Peter and the Wolf. It is some time later that we learn that Prokofiev's music was regarded as somewhat challenging in the middle of the last century. No, not that nice man that wrote Peter and the Wolf. This particular version is narrated by Sting. And narrated very well, I might add. And I really like the Overture on Hebrew Themes.
Next up is Rachmaninov. On cassette we have Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Concertgebouw/Philharmonia orchestras under Bernard Haitink playing the first Piano Concerto and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. strange really, I can listen objectively and say that not only are they fine tunes but also really rather beautiful music. But only objectively. They don't affect me emotionally. Strange, innit?
We have a tape of the same artists, with the Concertgebouw, playing Rachmaninov 2 and 4 piano. No 2 is one of those pieces that, even if it was the only piece he had ever composed would be enough to convince of his place in the pantheon of Greats. Soaring and lyrical. I am listening to the first movement of Four with new ears. It really is quite something
His Vespers has a strange beauty all of its own. Based on the order for the Russian Orthodox church, it does not strike me as especially Russian. But it is clearly different from Western plainchant. I can't really put my finger on it, but I have realised that it is seriously underplayed in my life, and definitely merits more frequent airings, especially when I want to be contemplative.
Perhaps I ought to put Rachmaninov on my to-do list and the 2CdD four concerti on my longer term wishlist...
I have a tape that I bought when I was a stude, for �1.50 or something, and despite frequent plays, it is still in tip-top condition. It contains, on one side, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, which has been on my long-list for the desert island for twenty years now. One of the pieces is in 1/4 time, which must be devilishly difficult to conduct. a comment that makes me realise that I have never seen a performance of this live or on TV, because that would be the sort of thing to watch the conductor for. I used to play along to this in my percussion lessons all those years ago.
The other side is Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien. Very pleasant and lyrical, although far from being my favourite Tchaik.
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