Russian Orchestral Masterpieces performed by French Orchestras

KHCD-2011-075 (STEREO) – Russian Orchestral Masterpieces played by French Orchestras – Glinka: Ruslan and Lumilla Overture; Liadov: Fragment de l’Apocalypse Op. 66; Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini Op. 32 ; Borodin In the Steppes of Central Asia – Igor Markevitch/Lamoureux Orchestra; Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol – Andre Vandernoot/L’ Orchestre De La Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire; Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien – Pierre Dervaux/L’ Orchestre Des Concerts Colonne – Three French orchestras are featured in this overview of well-know works by 19^th century Russian masters. Igor Markevitch’s white-hot interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “Francesca da Rimini” from a1959 DGG recording clearly trounces his later 1967 version with the New Philharmonia. The other Markevitch-led selections receive admirable performances by the Lamoureux Orchestra. The Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol and the Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien were transcribed from a Command gold-label disc recorded in 1961, in wide-range 35mm-tape sonics. A great demo disc.

I had always admired Igor Markevitch’s 1967 taping of Tchaikovsky’s “Francesca da Rimini”, first on a domestically released Philips PHP-series LP, then issued with of Philips’ CD set of Markevitch’s traversal of Tchaikovsky’s 6 Symphonies with the London Symphony from the early-mid 60s. I had not heard his 1959 DGG recording until this year, when I was fortunate to find a near-mint DGG LP. What a exhilarating performance! The Lamoureux Orchestra plays “Francesca” as I have never heard it before; it has become my favorite version. The other pieces on this CD reissue are just as exciting.

Thanks for visting! – Cheers – Curt Timmons

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