ALEXANDRE BORODIN

ALEXANDRE BORODIN
SYMPHONIES NOS. 1, 2 AND 3 (1989)
320 KBPS

Stephen Gunzenhauser and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra give an enthusiastic rendition of Borodin’s three symphonies, although I sometimes had the feeling that they could have done more to uncover the structures behind the works. The first symphony surprises by not sounding particularly Russian, except for occasional reminiscences of “In the Steppes of Central Asia” or the overture to “Prince Igor”. The second is much more Russian in flavor, but without in any way being “folkloristic”. The third symphony was in quite an early stage of conception at Borodin’s untimely death, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s pupil Glazunov “completed” it, using both piano and string quartet sketches by Borodin and his own memory, so that in the end you cannot really say what is Borodin and what is Glazunov. At all events, rewarding listening – and thanks to Naxos for venturing beyond the narrow limits of the normal concert repertoire.

Symphony No. 1 in E flat major
1. I. Adagio
2. II. Prestissimo
3. III. Andante
4. IV. Allegro molto vivo
Symphony No. 2 in B minor
5. I. Allegro
6. II. Prestissimo
7. III. Andante
8. IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in A minor
9. I. Moderato assai
10. II. Vivo