Borodin: Symphony No. 2; In the Steppes of Central Asia
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet
Staatskapelle Dresden, Kurt Sanderling (cond,) Berlin Classics
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I am still waiting for the first recording of the original version not arranged by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov.
Dave, I may have missed it, and not that it matters, but is this a live performance? Thanks!
Thanks. I will try to find it. My personal favorite recording of this symphony is the Carlos Kleiber with the SWR orchestra. Not a composer you would associate with this conductor- But – at least in my opinion- one of his finest recordings.
And I love Sanderling's Haydn Paris symphonies. His Brahms cycle too.
I learned about the 2nd from the Mitropoulos box – wonderful piece of music that makes me want to explore Borodin more. Glad you’re covering it.
Dave, I'm thrilled that you have lifted up Kurt Sanderling's performance of Borodin's Sym. 2. It's my favorite performance as well, and also I love his slow and mysterious
In the Steppes of Central Asia, on the same disc. It goes well with the 2nd Symphony. I'd like to share one more terrific and under-mentioned performance of the Borodin Sym. 2:
Vaclav Smetacek's fabulous, atmospheric rendition with the Czech Philharmonic on Supraphon (coupled with a heated Tchaikovsky Sym. 1 "Winter Dreams" Symphony.
Another really fine choice. As noted, this is an exceptional work that is a pleasure to enjoy. I've heard a number of excellent recordings and this is as good as any of them.
Will you do a review of Glasanov s The Seasons? The music is very lovely
Many thanks. This is one of my favorites since I first heard the Svetlanov recording as a teenager in the 1970s. So sad it is hardly programmed. Will try this one out. Thanks to you bought Sanderling’s recordings of Shostakovich’s 5th, 6th and 8th.
Borodin 2 and its cousin Kalinnikov 1 are standouts in the Russian symphonic repertoire.
It is worth reading Borodin's biography because he was a very great man of heart and mind. His generosity and dedication were endless. His house was opened to the poor and he cared for his sick wife for years. If there is a paradise, he is surely there! He left compositions incomplete because the music was for him only a hobby. He was a chemist by profession.
The Finale-Allegro sounds like a soundtrack for a Hollywood Western.
In good company with one of America's best writers, mr Charles Bukowski, who was a devoted listner to classical music, loved Borodin's second and also wrote a bit about his somewhat problematic composing situation.
I love this symphony whoever plays it. It's just too bad the work has been relegated to be played by amateur and smaller, community orchestras. When was the last time any major American orchestra played it? Dave might be aware of this: there is a mistake in the last movement in the percussion part. A bass drum and cymbal crash are written one bar later than they should be and it's funny how many professional orchestras and the conductor and the producer don't catch it; the score is correct. Can't anyone read a score? Gergiev on Philips is one who flubs it.
I’m sure it’s coming, but I’d love to hear the Sanderling top 10!
I've liked the Kondrashin which has epic power but also warmth.
You’ve done 261 of these already! Wow. What a great series. Well thanks for making my life better.
Because there are so many recordings of the Borodin, it makes me miss the repertoire videos where you discuss the best and worst performances. I know they take more time to prepare, but I enjoy them tremendously.
Loved my RCA for ages. Great conductor, does my Khachaturian symphonies and one of my two Suk Azraels. Had a lesser recording which was a bit of a compendium of Borodin, with a weak 2nd. Phillips Classics, might be wrong. Traded the 2-disc affair ages ago.
Suitnar, for me, is a seriously underrated conductor.
"If you didn't catch it within the first thirty seconds, that it was issued, then it's too late…." Yes… Such as ARTHUR GRUMIAUX BOX!!!!
I love Martinon in this symphony. Everything seems so taut, precise and exciting to boot. I like the way he does not dawdle in the 1st movement unlike other conductors.
I had forgotten how beautiful the third movement of this symphony was. Glorious.