Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Aram Khachaturian, Dmitry Shostakovich :: Ballets Russes: Russian Dances and Ballets

This is a big, exciting CD made up of dance movements from different works: A polonaise from Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, the march from Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges, the Polovtsian Dances from Borodin's Prince Igor, and more. All of the repertoire is Russian and the French Orchestra and Russian Chorus (in the Borodin) make a splendid sound under the baton of Paavo Järvi. The Entr'acte from Glazunov's Raymonda is a hypnotically lovely oasis in the midst of so many foot-stomping--or at least waltz-inducing--selections, and a real treat is the rare "Dance of the Amazons" by Liadov, with its oriental flavor and spectacular, war-like, brass and percussion sections. And the Sabre Dance will have your heart pounding! The female chorus is particularly alluring. A fun release of great favorites. --Robert Levine