[ Naxos / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 1 April 2016
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Begun when he was a seventeen-year-old naval cadet, Rimsky-Korsakov's Symphony No. 1 was hailed by the nationalist group 'The Five' as the first truly Russian symphony, in contrast with the German-influenced music of Anton Rubinstein. With its use of Russian folk-songs, this is a work of remarkable natural talent, justifying the early enthusiasm of Balakirev. Symphony No. 3, cast in a thoroughly Russian musical language, is notable not only for its significantly enhanced technical competence but for its great rhythmic vitality and subtle orchestration.
"Naxos provides a beefy Berlin sound, with weighty strings and imposing brass…the Scherzo has a fine swagger to it, building a good head of steam…the Third Symphony is alive with melodic ideas, opening in good-natured C major. Clarinet teases and flute and solo violin intertwine sinuously…and the symphony ends ebulliently…[this recording] should win new friend for these amiable works" Gramophone
"The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra enjoys all its folk song influences in this engaging recording of Rimsky's later revision of the [First Symphony]...[in the Third] he displayed his mastery of orchestral colour, brought vividly to life here in the Scherzo and in the closing Allegro con spirito, with Gerard Schwarz in total command." The Observer
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 3 in C