Rimsky-Korsakov: Overtures and Suites

Advantages: Gorgeous Melodies, Exciting, Storytelling Piece and all around Beautiful Music
Disadvantages: None

...********************************** The Composer (briefly) of Sheherazade ********************************** Originally, Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov was not going to pursue music, instead leaning towards a naval career. While he did indeed go on to work in the Navy, first going to the Navel Cadet College in St. Petersburg and then sailing as a midshipman on a 2 and a half year long cruise starting in 1862, music was a major force in his life. He had shown some musical ability even as a very small child. Just before he set out on the cruise in 1862 he met a man named Balakirev who was a great influence on him (and many other famous musicians of that time), this influence increased upon his return. He found that on shore there was more time for music and he started writing some of his early compositions. Rimsky-Korsakov... Read review

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Advantages: Impressive performance of interesting opera at an unbeatable price
Disadvantages: You will be left wanting more

...environment which brought him into contact with Western culture and encouraged his interest in classical music. Eventually he became one of "The Five" - a renowned group of Russian nationalist composers consisting of Mily Balakirev (the leader), César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as Borodin. However, Borodin's main career of chemistry meant that he was frequently distracted from his music and his work on "Prince Igor" lasted intermittently from 1869 until his early death in 1887, which left the opera incomplete. It was edited, completed and orchestrated by Rimsky Korsakov and Glasunov, with much of the 3rd act not being by Borodin and apparently the overture being reconstructed from memory! It was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1890. "Prince Igor" as a result has a rather mish-mash plot to say the least... Read review

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Advantages: Best of Borodin's compositions
Disadvantages: Extracts only

...Given the quality of his music, it is surprising to note that Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) was never a professional musician. Musical composition for him was more of a hobby. After graduating in medicine and taking up a profession in chemistry. Borodin’s musical output was understandably small since his work was a product of his spare time only. However, despite being only a part time composer Borodin’s work, as you can hear on this CD, was in no way inferior. Born in St. Petersburg, Borodin was part of a small elitist group of Russian composers committed to national patriotism and “truth in music”. The group referred to as “The Five” or the 'The Mighty Handful” also included Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev and Cui. This CD, “The World of Borodin” released on the Decca label, provides indisputable evidence of Borodin... Read review

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