Miaskovsky: Symphonies (complete)
List Price:
Our Price: $68.43
You Save: $31.54 (32%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Composer: Nikolai MiaskovskyConductor: Evgeny Svetlanov
Orchestra: Russian State Symphony Orchestra
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Box set
CD Release Date: 2008-08-26
Music Label: Rhino
Music reviews of Miaskovsky: Symphonies (complete)
Music Review: A very complicated history behind this current Myaskovsky set, but in the end, well worth the investment & the journey.
Rating: 5 Stars
The late Yevgeny Svetlanov was a known Myaskovskian, and the most well-rounded and versatile of Russian conductors to date. So when Melodiya commissioned this great conductor to do `an almost' complete set of Myaskovsky's orchestral works in 1990 (or 1991), Svetlanov had already recorded about a handful of the composer's symphonies along with the popular cello concerto. And besides, he had the great Russian Federation Symphony Orchestra (then the USSR State Symphony) at his disposal. So, it was indeed a logical choice on Melodiya's part. But there is a catch. The project was done in haste and performing (in most cases for the first time) nearly all of Myaskovsky's orchestral music in just a three-year span (1991-1993) inevitably impacted on the orchestra's high standards of execution (particularly the strings, which at times sounded not like its usual alert, coherent, full-bodied self). But the commitment and the authenticity in performances and sound are obvious and in full glory, even though there's a give and take proposition given the obvious surprises they've found themselves in here and there.
After Melodiya released two discs featuring Symphonies nos. 17, 24, & 25 by 1991, it sold its rights to BMG by 1992 and another label, Russian Disc, essentially picked up the tab. By the mid-1990s, however, Russian Disc faced a number of serious lawsuits and their efforts to release the Myaskovsky series (and other works of Russian and Non-Russian composers either freshly recorded or re-issued from the original Melodiya) were put on ice. Svetlanov himself used his own initiatives and personal funds to help see the project through and finally, Russian Disc released its 16 discs set in the summer of 2001 distributed by Records International. But it was a limited edition and questionable disc quality (sometimes copied as though through a personal computer or stereo system) made it rather short-lived. And when Olympia Compact Disc Ltd. took over in reissuing this cycle in 2002 (in a very expensive deal it had reached with Svetlanov and his wife, Nina Svetlanova), the recording market was already hit hard and Olympia, by then a struggling label, went under. Alto (Musical Concepts) took over the project and as it continues on with it, Warner Classics (Warner France) inaugurated its 16 compact discs set of that same cycle this past summer in a more economical packaging.
Warner's advantage over Alto, other than the lesser voluminous set for the space-conscious collectors, is its inclusion of the miscellaneous works the latter label is skipping over (at least for now). But Alto scores hands down in maintaining Olympia's high tradition of intrepid, scholarly presentation (courtesy of the late Per Skans and others). In the meantime, the mysteries behind the Myaskovsky `ongoing cycles' under Neemi Jarvi with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra under the BIS/Deutsche Grammophon label & Dmitri Yablonsky and the Moscow Philharmonic under Naxos remain mysteries. Nevertheless, this set under review here will do well enough amidst its drawbacks, presentation-wise. But if you're okay with spacing and are already committed in collecting the Olympia/Alto series (which means waiting patiently for the remaining disc(s) to come forth), then there's really no compelling reasons to switch over, again for now.
Nikolay Yakovlevich Myaskovsky (1881-1950), as great of a musical journeyman as Bax and Martinu, is hardly a household name even in Russia. He continues to be looked upon as an important historical figure, due to his pedagogical commitments as Professor of composition at the Moscow Conservatory of Music (where every significant Muscovite composer were under his guidance) and his friendship with Prokofiev, who benefited from his advice especially after his return to Soviet Russia by 1936. As a composer, he's chiefly remembered for his Cello Concerto and as a composer of twenty-seven symphonies, of which his 6th & 21st Symphonies had some currencies and exposures in decades past (thanks principally to Frederick Stock, who led the Chicago Symphony from 1905 until 1942). But, unless you're a listener more familiar with Myaskovsky, you'll realize that there's much more to it than that.
The truth is that Myaskovsky comes across as a composer with depth and substance, capable of moving the subconscious in ways that are reflective and memorable. Like Bruckner and even Bax, Myaskovsky is at his best in slow movements (indeed a relatively rare quality for a composer). His music (especially his slow music ) is typically deep, melancholic, lyrical, & at times philosophical, with ideas that are clearly poignant and wrought. This composer had been through a lot and there's something autobiographical in his music. He was no doubt a Boris Pasternak of a persona in his keen observations of all that went on around him that ultimately and movingly got transmuted onto paper. L' homme du monde, and unapologetically so, whose music is of narrative reflectiveness with an unrelenting creative spirit, of the cleansing of the soul through the in-depth communications of his innermost feelings relatable to the masses. Musical creations out of circumstances at the expense of considerations of musical substance was not his thing, and for decades his idiom does pose problems for that reason. Nevertheless, Myaskovsky was indeed, both literally and figuratively speaking, The Musical Conscience of Moscow whose music forcefully crossed national and international borders. His fame he had achieved during the 1920s and the 1930s was no accident. But then again, the neglect of even his strongest music is ultimately our loss.
And there's no flag waving either, for Myaskovsky was neither a Soviet Realist composer or a highly defiant one in veins similar to Shostakovich or Prokofiev (and to some extent Shebalin). He was really a quietist, a sort of a 20th Century Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky who was, in terms of mannerism and musical thought, went neither here or there, and rather unapologetic in maintaining the profound virtues of musical art deeply rooted in Russian music while not paying much lip service to Socialist Realist policies. Composers around him (Shebalin, Khachaturian, Peiko, Boris Tchaikovsky, et al.) learned a good deal from his spiritually protesting stance. Eminently resourceful, varied in both style and tone, exalted, honest, and classy in expression, in-your-face humanity of a composer on the one hand, Myaskovsky can be, from time to time, turgid, routine, longwinded, and calculated. But make no mistake about it, serious critics and listeners especially in Soviet Russia deemed Myaskovsky as among the most significant of Soviet composers (and the most significant of symphonists) with good, legitimate, even compelling reasons.
This set will be daunting for those not so familiar with his vast output of music (and skimpy presentation here will not help much). Do try the Thirteenth Symphony for its striking ambiguity (perhaps his most daring work) or the Twentieth for its wonderfully dignified Adagio movement and just go from there. The Sixth Symphony, a highly personal, cataclysmic, yet an important early Soviet work (championed by Leopold Stokowski, Artur Rodzinski et al.) will likewise be an ideal start as will any of his later symphonies (like his 25th or his 27th, the pinnacles of his musical art). His miscellaneous works (like the striking Slavonic Rhapsody on Ancient Russian Themes or the Divertissements) are also definitely worth a try.
In the end though, this set (and the Olympia/Alto series) is of high importance, not only because it confirms the contributions of Myaskovsky towards musical art in Soviet Russia (and beyond), but also because it confirms his contributions in maintaining and, dare I say, enhancing the credibility of such an art that gave it immeasurable ounces of authenticity.
Do Enjoy & Absorb!!
More Miaskovsky: Symphonies (complete) free music reviews:
1
1
Description of Miaskovsky: Symphonies (complete)
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Classical CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Classical CDs
Winterscapesby London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops:
The Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebeeby Dini Petty
Children's Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.38
Price in other shops:
Classical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs CdrRelease date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
![Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] Image](/images/Jose-Carreras-Jubileum-Concert-VHS-1584481471-X.jpg){kind=small}
Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops:
![Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] Image](/images/Tchaikovsky-The-Nutcracker-Nureyev-Park-Royal-Ballet-VHS-156127092X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops:
![Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] Image](/images/Lonely-Town-Lonley-Street-Sergeant-Early-Dream-VHS-1561270857-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Winter Music: Composing the Northby John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $21.88
Price in other shops:
![Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Puccini-La-Fanciulla-del-West-Santi-Domingo-Neblett-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720382-X.jpg){kind=small}
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops:
![Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Verdi-Falstaff-Giulini-Bruson-Ricciarelli-Nucci-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720358-X.jpg){kind=small}
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Ture Rangström: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)Release date: 2000-06-20; Music CD
Best price: $14.88
Price in other shops:
Vaughan Williams: The Collector's Edition - 30 CDsRelease date: 2008-07-08; Music CD
Best price: $39.65
Price in other shops:
Langgaard: The SymphoniesRelease date: 2009-03-31; Music CD
Best price: $61.13
Price in other shops:
![Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Complete Symphonies [Box Set] Image](/images/Wilhelm-Peterson-Berger-Complete-Symphonies-Box-Set-B000CGYO9U-X.jpg)
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]Release date: 2006-01-17; Music CD
Best price: $25.32
Price in other shops:
![Hugo Alfven: Symphonies Nos. 1-5; Swedish Rhapsodies [Box Set] Image](/images/Hugo-Alfven-Symphonies-Nos-1-5-Swedish-Rhapsodies-Box-Set-B001716JR4-X.jpg)
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra - Hugo Alfven: Symphonies Nos. 1-5; Swedish Rhapsodies [Box Set]Release date: 2011-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $19.26
Price in other shops:
Kabalevsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-4Release date: 2008-09-30; Music CD
Best price: $18.79
Price in other shops:
Nikolai Miaskovsky: Cello Concerto; Cello Sonatas 1 & 2Release date: 2006-05-09; Music CD
Best price: $2.72
Price in other shops:
![Glazunov: Symphonies (Complete); Cantatas; Famous Ballet Music; Violin Concerto [Box Set] Image](/images/Glazunov-Symphonies-Complete-Cantatas-Famous-Ballet-Music-Violin-Concerto-Box-Set-B0011367P2-X.jpg)
Glazunov: Symphonies (Complete); Cantatas; Famous Ballet Music; Violin Concerto [Box Set]Release date: 2008-02-05; Music CD
Best price: $30.09
Price in other shops:
Taneyev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3RUSSIAN STATE SYMPHO; Release date: 2007-05-22; Music CD
Best price: $9.77
Price in other shops:
Symphony 2 & 4Release date: 2002-09-24; Music CD
Best price: $11.80
Price in other shops: