It is worth reading Borodin's biography because he was a very great man of heart and mind. His generosity and dedication were endless. His house was opened to the poor and he cared for his sick wife for years. If there is a paradise, he is surely there! He left compositions incomplete because the music was for him only a hobby. He was a chemist by profession.
I love Martinon in this symphony. Everything seems so taut, precise and exciting to boot. I like the way he does not dawdle in the 1st movement unlike other conductors.
In good company with one of America's best writers, mr Charles Bukowski, who was a devoted listner to classical music, loved Borodin's second and also wrote a bit about his somewhat problematic composing situation.
Dave, I'm thrilled that you have lifted up Kurt Sanderling's performance of Borodin's Sym. 2. It's my favorite performance as well, and also I love his slow and mysterious In the Steppes of Central Asia, on the same disc. It goes well with the 2nd Symphony. I'd like to share one more terrific and under-mentioned performance of the Borodin Sym. 2: Vaclav Smetacek's fabulous, atmospheric rendition with the Czech Philharmonic on Supraphon (coupled with a heated Tchaikovsky Sym. 1 "Winter Dreams" Symphony.
Many thanks. This is one of my favorites since I first heard the Svetlanov recording as a teenager in the 1970s. So sad it is hardly programmed. Will try this one out. Thanks to you bought Sanderling’s recordings of Shostakovich’s 5th, 6th and 8th.
Another really fine choice. As noted, this is an exceptional work that is a pleasure to enjoy. I've heard a number of excellent recordings and this is as good as any of them.
Thanks. I will try to find it. My personal favorite recording of this symphony is the Carlos Kleiber with the SWR orchestra. Not a composer you would associate with this conductor- But - at least in my opinion- one of his finest recordings.
Loved my RCA for ages. Great conductor, does my Khachaturian symphonies and one of my two Suk Azraels. Had a lesser recording which was a bit of a compendium of Borodin, with a weak 2nd. Phillips Classics, might be wrong. Traded the 2-disc affair ages ago.
This one is phenomenal. Thanks Dave! Think it tops Gergiev’s with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for me, which I’ve loved for years and years. Gergiev did the first symphony just about flawless for me, but the percussion is an absolute mess on no. 2
@@DavesClassicalGuide Why? Have you ever heard this version in concert? I have studied a little the newly (in 2015) published full score, based on Borodin's manuscripts, and I think there are some interesting details. There are major differences in the orchestration of the first and second movement, and in the first movement even in the composition. Of course, Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov did some great and important - if contestable in detail - work in completing ,,Prince Igor", but I hardly see any point in their arrangement of Symphony No. 2, which Borodin actually completed. It won't hurt to record the version once, and afterwards, if it is not convincing, it still can vanish down a black hole of oblivion.
@@derphysiker1774 Yes, it will hurt. The work is well known and beloved as it is. The original score is available for study for those interested. It does neither Borodin nor the listening public any good to create confusion in the form of alternate versions. There is nothing "contestable" about what RK or Glazunov did--they created a masterpiece and a repertory favorite. Leave it alone!
@@DavesClassicalGuide You're right, of course, that no one wants to have such confusing conditions with different versions, as with the Bruckner symphonies. But then I would prefer it if Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov - who of course knew what they were doing, when they revised the work - were then named on the programme note as co-authors.
I love this symphony whoever plays it. It's just too bad the work has been relegated to be played by amateur and smaller, community orchestras. When was the last time any major American orchestra played it? Dave might be aware of this: there is a mistake in the last movement in the percussion part. A bass drum and cymbal crash are written one bar later than they should be and it's funny how many professional orchestras and the conductor and the producer don't catch it; the score is correct. Can't anyone read a score? Gergiev on Philips is one who flubs it.
It is worth reading Borodin's biography because he was a very great man of heart and mind. His generosity and dedication were endless. His house was opened to the poor and he cared for his sick wife for years. If there is a paradise, he is surely there! He left compositions incomplete because the music was for him only a hobby. He was a chemist by profession.
An exceptional chemist, also a physician, surgeon, university professor and cellist. All in all, quite a renaissance man.
Oh yeah this was glorious. Big and lush, huge strings, clear, great tempos. Fantastic! I streamed it right away.
Borodin 2 and its cousin Kalinnikov 1 are standouts in the Russian symphonic repertoire.
I love Martinon in this symphony. Everything seems so taut, precise and exciting to boot. I like the way he does not dawdle in the 1st movement unlike other conductors.
You’ve done 261 of these already! Wow. What a great series. Well thanks for making my life better.
My pleasure!
I had forgotten how beautiful the third movement of this symphony was. Glorious.
In good company with one of America's best writers, mr Charles Bukowski, who was a devoted listner to classical music, loved Borodin's second and also wrote a bit about his somewhat problematic composing situation.
Dave, I'm thrilled that you have lifted up Kurt Sanderling's performance of Borodin's Sym. 2. It's my favorite performance as well, and also I love his slow and mysterious
In the Steppes of Central Asia, on the same disc. It goes well with the 2nd Symphony. I'd like to share one more terrific and under-mentioned performance of the Borodin Sym. 2:
Vaclav Smetacek's fabulous, atmospheric rendition with the Czech Philharmonic on Supraphon (coupled with a heated Tchaikovsky Sym. 1 "Winter Dreams" Symphony.
Vaclav Smetacek's passionate 2nd with the Czech Phil harmonic on Supraphon.
Many thanks. This is one of my favorites since I first heard the Svetlanov recording as a teenager in the 1970s. So sad it is hardly programmed. Will try this one out. Thanks to you bought Sanderling’s recordings of Shostakovich’s 5th, 6th and 8th.
I’m sure it’s coming, but I’d love to hear the Sanderling top 10!
Suitnar, for me, is a seriously underrated conductor.
And I love Sanderling's Haydn Paris symphonies. His Brahms cycle too.
Another really fine choice. As noted, this is an exceptional work that is a pleasure to enjoy. I've heard a number of excellent recordings and this is as good as any of them.
I learned about the 2nd from the Mitropoulos box - wonderful piece of music that makes me want to explore Borodin more. Glad you’re covering it.
The Finale-Allegro sounds like a soundtrack for a Hollywood Western.
Not to me.
I've liked the Kondrashin which has epic power but also warmth.
Thanks. I will try to find it. My personal favorite recording of this symphony is the Carlos Kleiber with the SWR orchestra. Not a composer you would associate with this conductor- But - at least in my opinion- one of his finest recordings.
Yes indeed. One of the best.
"If you didn't catch it within the first thirty seconds, that it was issued, then it's too late...." Yes... Such as ARTHUR GRUMIAUX BOX!!!!
Loved my RCA for ages. Great conductor, does my Khachaturian symphonies and one of my two Suk Azraels. Had a lesser recording which was a bit of a compendium of Borodin, with a weak 2nd. Phillips Classics, might be wrong. Traded the 2-disc affair ages ago.
This one is phenomenal. Thanks Dave! Think it tops Gergiev’s with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for me, which I’ve loved for years and years. Gergiev did the first symphony just about flawless for me, but the percussion is an absolute mess on no. 2
MuitiSonic cd has the Borodin Symphony #2
I am still waiting for the first recording of the original version not arranged by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov.
I'm not. I hope it vanishes down a black hole of oblivion, never to return.
@@DavesClassicalGuide Why? Have you ever heard this version in concert?
I have studied a little the newly (in 2015) published full score, based on Borodin's manuscripts, and I think there are some interesting details. There are major differences in the orchestration of the first and second movement, and in the first movement even in the composition. Of course, Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov did some great and important - if contestable in detail - work in completing ,,Prince Igor", but I hardly see any point in their arrangement of Symphony No. 2, which Borodin actually completed. It won't hurt to record the version once, and afterwards, if it is not convincing, it still can vanish down a black hole of oblivion.
@@derphysiker1774 Yes, it will hurt. The work is well known and beloved as it is. The original score is available for study for those interested. It does neither Borodin nor the listening public any good to create confusion in the form of alternate versions. There is nothing "contestable" about what RK or Glazunov did--they created a masterpiece and a repertory favorite. Leave it alone!
@@DavesClassicalGuide You're right, of course, that no one wants to have such confusing conditions with different versions, as with the Bruckner symphonies. But then I would prefer it if Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov - who of course knew what they were doing, when they revised the work - were then named on the programme note as co-authors.
@@derphysiker1774 They weren't. They were editors, and it's a welcome touch of modesty that they stood aside to let Borodin have the credit.
Will you do a review of Glasanov s The Seasons? The music is very lovely
Already done. More than once. Check out the Glazunov playlist.
Dave, I may have missed it, and not that it matters, but is this a live performance? Thanks!
Not that I noticed.
I love this symphony whoever plays it. It's just too bad the work has been relegated to be played by amateur and smaller, community orchestras. When was the last time any major American orchestra played it? Dave might be aware of this: there is a mistake in the last movement in the percussion part. A bass drum and cymbal crash are written one bar later than they should be and it's funny how many professional orchestras and the conductor and the producer don't catch it; the score is correct. Can't anyone read a score? Gergiev on Philips is one who flubs it.
I think the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Muti had it programmed a few years ago, but may have been cancelled due to COVID.0
Is available on streaming services.
Aha!