Russian Ballet Favourites – Essential Naxos Collection CD

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• UPC: 636943406328
• Product Type: Music CD
• Brand Name: Naxos
• MPN: 8.554063
• Genre: Classical / Ballet
• Style: Orchestral / Russian Romantic / 20th Century
• Composers: Khachaturian, Glazunov, Glière, Shostakovich, Prokofiev
• Performers: St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
• Release Year: 1997

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD (DDD)
• Playing Time: 79:02
• Label: Naxos
• Technical Spec: Digital Recording (DDD)
• Inclusions: Detailed booklet notes in English, German, and French.

Overview

Indulge in the grandeur and passion of the Russian stage with Russian Ballet Favourites, a spectacular compilation from Naxos. This disc brings together the most iconic and stirring moments from the greatest ballets ever composed in the East. Spanning from the late-Romantic lushness of Glazunov to the sharp, modern wit of Shostakovich, this collection is a journey through the heart of Russian cultural history.

Featuring world-renowned ensembles like the St. Petersburg State Symphony and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, the recording captures the authentic "Russian sound"—bold brass, soaring strings, and rhythmic precision. Highlights include the fiery "Sabre Dance," the sweepingly cinematic "Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia," and the dramatic "Dance of the Knights" from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. With nearly 80 minutes of music, it serves as both a perfect introduction for newcomers and a cherished anthology for seasoned balletomanes.

Interesting Facts

• The Heroic Adagio: Khachaturian’s Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (Track 7) gained immense global popularity as the theme for the BBC series The Onedin Line.
• A Symbol of Elegance: The cover art features a portrait of the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova by Saveli Sorine, perfectly encapsulating the grace and poise of the Russian ballet tradition.
• Cinematic Connections: Many of these tracks have found second lives in Hollywood. Prokofiev’s Montagues and Capulets is frequently used to denote impending drama or aristocratic power in films and television.
• Soviet Modernism: Shostakovich’s The Age of Gold (represented here by the "Polka") was a bold, satirical work that showcased the composer's ability to blend high-art orchestral music with the energy of the cabaret.
• Authentic Origins: The majority of these recordings were produced in St. Petersburg and Moscow, ensuring the interpretations remain true to the original Russian performance tradition and orchestral colors.

Track Listing

KHACHATURIAN: Gayane

1. Sabre Dance (2:29)

GLAZUNOV: Raymonda

1. Grande valse (6:19)
2. Prélude et La Romanesca (2:14)
3. Scène mimique (2:30)
4. Grand adagio (5:00)
5. Grand pas espagnol (2:23)

KHACHATURIAN: Spartacus

1. Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (8:37)

GLIÈRE: The Red Poppy

1. Coolies' Dance (2:11)
2. Phoenix - Adagio (7:11)
3. Dance of the Chinese Women (2:19)
4. Russian Sailors' Dance (3:30)

KHACHATURIAN: Masquerade

1. Waltz (4:20)

SHOSTAKOVICH: Age of Gold

1. Polka (1:56)

PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet

1. Morning Dance (2:24)
2. Masks (2:49)
3. Montagues and Capulets (5:50)
4. Departure of the Guests (3:50)
5. Balcony Scene (3:52)
6. Romeo's Variation (1:14)
7. Love Dance (5:43)
8. Act II Finale (2:19)

Publishers

Published by HNH International Ltd. (℗ 1995 & 96, © 1997). Music Notes by Keith Anderson. Cover Painting: Anna Pavlova by Saveli Sorine.

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