Borodin: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Prince Igor (Overture, Dances); Notturno; In the Steppes of Central Asia; Petite Suite

Maybe if Neeme Jarvi had made this set for Chandos with one of his other favourite ensembles it might have worked. Sadly, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and particularly its chorus, never seem to make these neglected symphonies more than pedestrian. Indeed there are times when the performance seems like an accurate but uninspired read-through. Jarvi's low key lyricism and the chorus's bland efficiency flies in the face of the composer's obvious desire to be exotic.

Our rating

2

Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:46 pm

COMPOSERS: Borodin
LABELS: DG
WORKS: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Prince Igor (Overture, Dances); Notturno; In the Steppes of Central Asia; Petite Suite
PERFORMER: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/Neeme Jarvi
CATALOGUE NO: 435 757-2 DDD

Maybe if Neeme Jarvi had made this set for Chandos with one of his other favourite ensembles it might have worked. Sadly, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and particularly its chorus, never seem to make these neglected symphonies more than pedestrian. Indeed there are times when the performance seems like an accurate but uninspired read-through. Jarvi's low key lyricism and the chorus's bland efficiency flies in the face of the composer's obvious desire to be exotic. The symphonies are reasonably played but largely devoid of electricity, and, given the chosen approach, it is hardly surprising that the quieter, shorter items come off best. Simon Cargill

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