Borodin,
Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Balakirev, Glinka,
Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Khachaturian, Glazunov, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov,
Scriabin (for pianists) …. there is a long litany of Russian
composers who have achieved firm places in the romantic and
post-romantic eras of music. All complemented, of course, by hordes
of first-class pianists and violinists from Russian lands. The
Russian system may not produce first-class results in economics, but
it certainly succeeds in music.
Modest Mussorgsky is
now known mainly for his Pictures at an Exhibition, and his
operas Boris Godunov, and Sorochyntsi Fair. I have been listening
again with increased admiration to Pictures played by the
charismatic Khatia Buniatishvili. It's wonderful music, with
wonderful playing. The CD is complemented by Ravel's La Valse,
and three movements from Stravinsky's Petrushka. A three star
disc.
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