Rimsky-Korsakov: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Piano Concerto; Capriccio espagnol; Russian Easter Festival Overture; Sadko
Published:
COMPOSERS: Rimsky-Korsakov
LABELS: Chandos
WORKS: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Piano Concerto; Capriccio espagnol; Russian Easter Festival Overture; Sadko
PERFORMER: Geoffrey Tozer (piano); Bergen PO/Dmitri Kitaenko
CATALOGUE NO: CHAN 7029(2) (1993/4)
Rimsky-Korsakov is a neglected symphonist, in two cases out of three deservedly so. The exception is No. 2, written before Rimsky found out what harmony and counterpoint were and with flashes of brilliantly inventive orchestration that proved more valuable than this knowledge when it came a few years later. This collection is nonetheless interesting, and if Rimsky ultimately emerges a middle-ranker, it is not for want of energy and commitment on the part of orchestra and conductor. Christopher Wood