Glazunov Symphonies

[MickyD]

I'm currently re-listening to the very nice box of Glazunov symphonies from Brilliant Classics (licensed from Chandos) - for such glorious works, I am struck by how little they are played either on radio or in the concert hall. Anyone else agree?

[Serial_Apologist]

I seem to recall, from when Glazunov was COTW a while ago, the early symphonies being strongly Borodinian in idiom, and the later ones rather anodyne: Rachmaninov without the "good tunes"; there didn't seem to be enough of interest to get my pulses racing or want to find out more - Stravinsky and Prokofiev, and even Sibelius, were so much more interesting, Glazunov seeming to be a hark-back to bygone ideas.

[Dave2002]

I'm currently re-listening to the very nice box of Glazunov symphonies from Brilliant Classics (licensed from Chandos) - for such glorious works, I am struck by how little they are played either on radio or in the concert hall. Anyone else agree?

Is that this set? What's the sound quality like?

In 2009 I went on holiday with an MP3 player loaded up with the Fedoseyv versions of Glazunov's Symphonies 1-8, plus a few additional curiosities. The thing that struck me most at the time was the dreadful quality of the recording of number 5 - which may have been due to tape deterioration. I did find them dull and unmemorable at first. For some reason I persevered, and after about 5 run throughs I started to enjoy these. The first 3 are similar - lightish and a bit like Borodin as suggested. Number 4 has a beautiful cor anglais solo at the opening - it may get a bit bombastic towards the finale though. Number 5 is the one many people have claimed to like - the scherzo is brilliant. Number 6 is a bit heavier in feel, while number 7 (nicknamed the Pastoral) has a lovely opening movement. Number 8 seems to me to have a very gloomy feel, but it's also quite dramatic.

The slow movements tend to be rather lovely, though perhaps also too long. Some people don't mind that! Some of the faster movements are light and brilliant. Some of the finales tend to degenerate into banality.

Number 9 is not in the set, but can be obtained in a version conducted by Serebrier.

I think Petrenko scheduled one of the symphonies in a season recently. It's a great shame that these works are not performed in the UK, and the same goes for some other works, by composers such as Kalinnikov, Gretchaninov, Taneyev and Miaskovsky. Jurowski did Miaskovsky 6 a few years ago, but that was just one "rare" symphonic work over several whole seasons. On the whole concerts are just so terribly conservative. Even Tchaikovsky only gets 4-6 played regularly. It's just possible to hear 1-3 about once a year now.

Others may disagree, but I think we could lose a few Mahler sessions to allow more of these works an airing.

[Beef Oven!]

I downloaded the complete symphonies from Amazon for £2.99 a while back. Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Fedosayev. Gone up to £5.99 now, still cheap.

Not played them much, but when I do play them, they are most enjoyable.

[Dave2002]

I was going to recommend Yondani Butt's recordings, which have been on ASV. I recall his number 4 being super.

Sadly I found this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yondani_Butt

Yondani Butt RIP

[visualnickmos]

About seven years ago, I started collecting his symphonies on Olympic, with Rozhdestvensky conducting the USSR....... etc(!) piecemeal, looking out for bargains in second-hand or charity shops, the internet etc and last year finally completed my sojourn. The reason it took so long, is that I refused to - or was financially constrained to, paying sometimes colossal amounts for a CD, but patience paid, and I did end up by paying only rock-bottom prices for what is now almost impossible to obtain. Ahhhh - to he who waits!

But back to your main point; I am also surprised by the little amount of concert-time and air-time, as well as relatively few recordings that these symphonies attract. They are works that I am enjoying immensely as I am getting to know them. I don't really have much idea of other works by Glazounov, eg chamber works, but I do know his violin concerto - can be a right little cracker if 'done' well...

[EdgeleyRob]

Count me in as a Glazunov fan

But back to your main point; I am also surprised by the little amount of concert-time and air-time, as well as relatively few recordings that these symphonies attract. They are works that I am enjoying immensely as I am getting to know them. I don't really have much idea of other works by Glazounov, eg chamber works, but I do know his violin concerto - can be a right little cracker if 'done' well...

This is absolutely wonderful

[visualnickmos]

Count me in as a Glazunov fan


This is absolutely wonderful

Looking good!

[Alison]

Glazunov doesn't lack for good tunes. There just doesn't seem to be enough symphonic ballast and the later symphonies don't, imho, improve upon the peaks of the Fourth and Fifth.

Sad news regarding Yondani Butt. I did always wonder exactly who would buy his LSO recordings of Beethoven symphonies.

[Dave2002]

Glazunov doesn't lack for good tunes. There just doesn't seem to be enough symphonic ballast and the later symphonies don't, imho, improve upon the peaks of the Fourth and Fifth.

Sad news regarding Yondani Butt. I did always wonder exactly who would buy his LSO recordings of Beethoven symphonies.

I think you should try 6-8 again!

7 at least is easy to get into.

Re Yondani Butt, seems he also recorded Brahms and Schumann, as well as Kodaly's Symphony, and this by Gounod - http://open.spotify.com/track/7cd4Fqz0sQ6Z3pmBXtNrmU

Kodaly - http://open.spotify.com/track/6a7NxtNEpMoPTkbHFe7xDV

Also Goldmark with the RPO - well recorded - http://open.spotify.com/track/5VXfsAC4C38F5zJgjjxqEt

Odd that his Glazunov symphonies are not on Spotify - worth looking out for.

[MickyD]

Thanks for the broadly positive replies...just to clear up any confusion, this is the Brilliant Classics set I was talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glazunov-Symphonies-Ballet-Cantatas-Concerto/dp/B000X1YD2C/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1415520571&sr=1-6&keywords=glazunov+symphonies

It must be currently out of the catalogue for it to be reaching such sky high prices, but there are a few second hand available. Lovely recordings, and you also get the violin concerto, some ballet music and cantatas thrown in as well.

[Dave2002]

Thanks for the broadly positive replies...just to clear up any confusion, this is the Brilliant Classics set I was talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glazunov-Symphonies-Ballet-Cantatas-Concerto/dp/B000X1YD2C/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1415520571&sr=1-6&keywords=glazunov+symphonies

It must be currently out of the catalogue for it to be reaching such sky high prices, but there are a few second hand available. Lovely recordings, and you also get the violin concerto, some ballet music and cantatas thrown in as well.

Ah - that's the one I didn't like so much. I perhaps have a spare one or two of that still wrapped up - perhaps I should make my fortune by selling them. I really ought to listen to Polyansky's set again - I'm not sure I've given it a fair trial -perhaps I felt the recording wasn't as good as I'd hope it would be. Note that number 7 is actually from the BIS set with Otaka - http://www.musicweb-international.co...unov_93565.htm

The BBC NOW version (complete set) on BIS with Otaka is well recorded and beats that one IMO. http://www.musicweb-international.co...iscd166364.htm gives more information.

Fedoseyev's cheap version is, in many ways very good. I used to think the playing was relatively scrappy, and some of the recorded versions are really bad, which I think is due to making digital copies from damaged master tapes. After many hearings I think I prefer that set to almost all the others - whatever its faults it has vitality that the others don't always manage. There are some EMI and Melodiya LP pressings - which might give much better results if played, or converted to digital formats - I'm hoping so, anyway. That was supposed to be one of my projects - I have some of the LPs (eBay) but just haven't got round to it! That's why I asked about the sound quality on the latest Brilliant reissue of that.

Mravinsky recorded number 4 - the download is available for not a lot from CMM (Classical Music Mobile) - http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/..._search=Search

Golovanov made some eccentric recordings - 5,6,7 might be available. 5 and 7 were available as "needle drops" from an enthusiast's site I think.

Serebrier's set is good too with the RSNO - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glazunov-Com.../dp/B006W7SV5Q and includes what is left of number 9 - which is about as gloomy as number 8.

Oh = nearly escaped - I really recommend the symphonies (he only did a few) recorded by Yondani Butt for ASV, if you can find copies. Particularly number 4 - the playing at the start is lovely.

[Dave2002]

Thanks for the broadly positive replies...just to clear up any confusion, this is the Brilliant Classics set I was talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glazunov-Symphonies-Ballet-Cantatas-Concerto/dp/B000X1YD2C/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1415520571&sr=1-6&keywords=glazunov+symphonies

It must be currently out of the catalogue for it to be reaching such sky high prices, but there are a few second hand available. Lovely recordings, and you also get the violin concerto, some ballet music and cantatas thrown in as well.

Ah - that's the one I didn't like so much. I perhaps have a spare one or two of that still wrapped up - perhaps I should make my fortune by selling them. I really ought to listen to Polyansky's set again - I'm not sure I've given it a fair trial -perhaps I felt the recording wasn't as good as I'd hope it would be. Note that number 7 is actually from the BIS set with Otaka - http://www.musicweb-international.co...unov_93565.htm

The BBC NOW version (complete set) on BIS with Otaka is well recorded and beats that one IMO. http://www.musicweb-international.co...iscd166364.htm gives more information.

Fedoseyev's cheap version is, in many ways very good. I used to think the playing was relatively scrappy, and some of the recorded versions are really bad, which I think is due to making digital copies from damaged master tapes. After many hearings I think I prefer that set to almost all the others - whatever its faults it has vitality that the others don't always manage. There are some EMI and Melodiya LP pressings - which might give much better results if played, or converted to digital formats - I'm hoping so, anyway. That was supposed to be one of my projects - I have some of the LPs (eBay) but just haven't got round to it! That's why I asked about the sound quality on the latest Brilliant reissue of that.

Mravinsky recorded number 4 - the download is available for not a lot from CMM (Classical Music Mobile) - http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/..._search=Search

Golovanov made some eccentric recordings - 5,6,7 might be available. 5 and 7 were available as "needle drops" from an enthusiast's site I think.

Serebrier's set is good too with the RSNO - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glazunov-Com.../dp/B006W7SV5Q and includes what is left of number 9 - which is about as gloomy as number 8. IIRC number 8 actually has some complexity - isn't there a fugue in there? Some of the other symphonies are simpler and base their effects on repetition, and have a folksy feel - perhaps nationalistic - Borodin has already been mentioned.

Glazunov wrote and conducted his first symphony at a very young age, and his second followed only a year or so later. Remarkable.

[Stanfordian]

I'm currently re-listening to the very nice box of Glazunov symphonies from Brilliant Classics (licensed from Chandos) - for such glorious works, I am struck by how little they are played either on radio or in the concert hall. Anyone else agree?

Hiya MickyD,

I too love the Glazunov works, whilst not claiming greatness, especially the symphonies and string quartets/quintet. I am delighted with the live set on re-ssued on Brillant Classics with the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev.

[MickyD]

I will confess I bought that Brilliant set because it was such a cheap way of trying out works which were hitherto unknown to me...I can certainly live with it, but thanks for all the other suggestions. I count myself the winner to have discovered such gorgeous music.