Kondrashin came to the U.S. in 1958 to conduct concerts for Van Cliburn. While he was recording the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto with Cliburn, RCA also had him make these recordings (originally two LPs) with pickup mus... more »icians in New York's Manhattan Center. The nucleus of the orchestra was composed of members of the old NBC Symphony, and the ensemble plays splendidly, with violinist Oscar Shumsky earning his solo credit. Kondrashin leads spirited performances of these warhorses, mostly music so vulgar we should be ashamed of enjoying it as much as we do. RCA's famous "Living Stereo" sound has transferred splendidly to this CD, making it an exquisite, guilty pleasure. --Leslie Gerber« less
Kondrashin came to the U.S. in 1958 to conduct concerts for Van Cliburn. While he was recording the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto with Cliburn, RCA also had him make these recordings (originally two LPs) with pickup musicians in New York's Manhattan Center. The nucleus of the orchestra was composed of members of the old NBC Symphony, and the ensemble plays splendidly, with violinist Oscar Shumsky earning his solo credit. Kondrashin leads spirited performances of these warhorses, mostly music so vulgar we should be ashamed of enjoying it as much as we do. RCA's famous "Living Stereo" sound has transferred splendidly to this CD, making it an exquisite, guilty pleasure. --Leslie Gerber
CD Reviews
Simply BEAUTIFUL!
Deborah MacGillivray | US & UK | 02/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many do not know Aram Khachaturian's moving, romantic music, but they would likely recognised the Sabre Dance, used everywhere commercials and cartoons or the Adagio used by Stanley Kubrick in 2001: A Space Odyssey. That frantic, almost comical Sabre Dance comes from the oh so romantic Gayne Ballet Suite along with the Adagio made famous when Kubrick chose it for his film.But it's his Masquerade Suite I love the most. Khachaturian's music has a feel as if it should come from a contemporary of Saint Saens, instead of one living and composing in the 20th century (he died in 1978). I danced to this as a ballet dancer, and I don't know any music quite so filled my heart and soul.
Few composure can imbue their music with so much passion. The Masquerade Suites' Waltz, Romance and Nocturne are just breathtaking.I had to hunt and hunt to find this on a record, so I so delighted to see it on CD!!Just is nothing as beautiful! To think this same composure also gave us the Gayne Ballet and Spartacus is simply amazing.So discover the beauty of Khachaturian!"
A long held-back treasure finally rereleased.
06/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are so many treasurable recordings that RCA has in their archives, one can only wish they would take their virtual responsibility of getting them to the market a little more seriously. However, we should be grateful for what they have done so far. This particular CD when originally released contained only "The Masquerade Suite" and "The Comedians," both recorded in the late 1950s. For the CD, we have welcome filler in the form of the two capriccios. This CD speaks more than any amount of words as to the tragic loss music suffered over the early death of conductor, Kiril Kondrashin. "The Masquerade Suite" and "The Comedians" in particular have incredible style and sweep. These pieces which have been for so long relegated to the status of pops concerts level become in Kondrashin's hands the decided masterpieces of colorful writing and wonderful orchestration that they actually are. I must go so far as to say that these interpretations are definitive. We like to think of all the technical advances we have made in the last decades, but the sonics of the original analog tapes make these pieces sound like they were recorded yesterday rather than 40 years ago. There is not a trace of compression or distortion. Volumes on a good stereo system can be put to earthquake level. The final movement of the Kabelevsky is a speaker buster with Kabelevsky's ample use of kettle drums for the grand finish. On the other side of the coin, there is Oscar Shumsky's incomparable violin playing in "The Masquerade Suite" with its heartfelt second movement's large violin solo. This is a "must-have" CD. We have absolutely magnificent performances of two masterpieces of orchestration from the mid-twentieth century Russian school, and to have the added bonus of Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsokav thrown in makes one feel with this recording that one's cup runs over."
A rollicking good time
John | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | 10/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fun CD. Yes, I think 'fun' is the best word to describe these works. They are all delightful (and by no means trivial) romps through the world of orchestral color. And the sound- it sounds as if it was recorded in '98 rather than '58! Add the brilliantly exuberant playing of the orchestra led by the incomparable Kondrashin to the mix, and you have a potent concoction. Don't pass on this one."
Just plain fun!
littlenomad | North Carolina, US | 04/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sometimes beautiful and always entertaining, this CD is a good investment...except for the later movements of Capriccio Espagnol (in which members of the orchestra seem to have difficulty staying in tune and in sync with one another). If you're looking for a flawless Capriccio Espagnol, try another CD. I think I have detected some sync problems in some of the other pieces, but nothing that will ruin the listening experience. Don't get me wrong, though...this CD isn't a waste of money."
Four Enjoyable Performances
interested_observer | San Francisco, CA USA | 10/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has four pieces from four composers, all performed by Kiril Kondrashin and the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra.
The opening brass fanfare of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio italien is precise and impressive, making it my favorite recording of this work.
The performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio espagnol is as good as anyone else's, with a full sound.
The real reason to have the disk is the inclusion of two obscure pieces, Masquerade Suite by Khachaturian and The Comedians by Kabalevsky. The former shows the surface gaiety and underlying tensions at a costume party. The latter is music depicting a troupe of clowns. Both get a lively, engaging treatment.
All four pieces are played with brio and are a joy to hear.
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1