Search - Aram Khachaturian, Loris Tjeknavorian, Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra :: Khachaturian:Valencian Widow/Gayaneh/Tjeknavorian:Danses Fantastiques

A blockbuster of sound and fury

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 12/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone that knows the music of Khachaturian will not be surprised to hear that his music on this CD, conducted by countryman Loris Tjeknavorian and the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, is full throated and exciting. What is equally excellent is the suite of dances from Tjeknavorian's own music that accompanies the Khachaturian on this disk.



Khachaturian's music to "The Valencian Widow" is from 1940 and sourced from a Spanish comedy. It was the composer's first large scale work for the stage. The music will be very familiar to lovers of Khachaturian with hard-driving rhythms, a great deal of Armenian-influence Spanish flavor, and a rhapsodic intermezzo before the final exciting dance. Tjeknavorian conducts Khachaturian's Suite No. 2 from "Gayaneh" in similar fashion.



The greater discovery on this disk are Tjeknavorian's own "Danses Fantastiques" from his "Ballet Fantastiques" Opus 2 composed in 1958 when he was a student at the Vienna Academy. Modeled directly on the style and substance of his hero and countryman, Khachaturian, the seven-movement suite is perhaps even more exciting and lacking in subtlety than Khachaturian's own music. It is exciting and involving from start to finish and concludes 65 wonderful minutes of Armenian music.



All throughout the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra plays with complete commitment in this variably exciting, rhapsodic and rapturous music. Listeners that love exotic classical dance, excitement and high emotion will have more than a good time with this disk."

A hugely enjoyable release

G.D. | Norway | 07/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music on this disc is hardly profound, but who cares when it is as colorful, inventive and hugely enjoyable as this? The early incidental music for The Widow of Valencia isn't among Khachaturian's most famous scores, but one is truly led to wonder why not. This is quite simply stunningly well-crafted, tuneful and spirited music combining faux Spanish music with Armenian and Russian coloristic, always inventive and extremely well orchestrated.



Gayaneh is of course much better known, but the selections offered here includes for the most part less famous numbers. The level of invention is consistently high, however, and there isn't a dull moment; it is thoroughly well scored, inventive and colorful (listen, for instance, to the enchanting Russian Dance). Tjeknavorian's own Danses fantastiques is a real find for anyone who enjoys Khachaturian; well-crafted, imaginatively scored fiery music with color and flair and ferocious rhythms and cross-rhythms, culminating in powerful climaxes (in particular the last movement). And the playing by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra is splendid, with all the color and power needed for this music. Sound quality is very good as well, and in sum this is an extremely enjoyable release - again, nothing profound here, but it is all so hugely enjoyable that one can hardly complain."