Search - Dmitriev, Popov :: Dmitriev: Symphony No. 3 "Misterioso" / Violin Concerto (1981) / Warsaw Fantasy for Violin and Piano (1983)

Very fine recordings of a Living Composer!

Slobberer | Astoria, NY United States | 10/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In these Live recordings from the Large Hall of the Moscow Conservatory from 1981, 1989, 1992 and 1990 of Georgi Dmitriev (1942 - )'s works. . .I think the choral Vespers (1976-90) are the most successful works on this programme, but also like the Warsaw Fantasy and Symphony No. 3 (1989). The Vespers are in the tradition of Russian Orthodox music - thick homophonic texture (8 parts?). In the Violin Concerto, the music is provocative, but I didn't care for the tone of the solo instrument (violin) - it seemed a little thin. I don't think this is the fault of the performer, but maybe this work would be more successful with a mellower instrument.The Symphony No. 3 "Misterioso" is very intriguing, and the only thing I can compare it to, since I have a limited knowledge of modern orchestral music, is perhaps the work of John Corigliano. It is well-orchestrated with nice touches, and seem to be atmospheric rather than thematic in construction. The Warsaw Fantasy is very successful extended piece inspired by the Polish political events of the epoch (1983 - the struggle of Solidarity, etc) that includes quotations from Chopin and WieniawskiThe audience applause might have been excluded from the recording track, as it is rather tepid (the sort of applause that greets most modern orchestral works, until a following is established)."

Good music but average recordings

karlm | California | 11/10/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I took a chance on this CD without hearing a single word about it (just try to find a review on this, I dare you). Dmitriev's musical style is strong and very Russian in a tonal style. Don't confuse the musical language as being old fashion - he certainly has a mastery of modern music vocabulary. The symphony is full of percussion, brass, and dramatic pulses set within an richly atmospheric sound world. He certainly has a good grasp of orchestration and technique pushing and spotlighting each instrument. I definately want to hear more by this composer. The music has strong atmousphere and good form. One problem is all of the recordings here are live so you hear pages turning, coughing audiences, etc. The recording dynamics where also poor, but perhaps I've become to used to digital studio recordings."