Search - Glazunov, Romanian State Orchestra, Andreescu :: Orchestral Edition 19: Les Ruses D'Amour

Yet More Expert Glazunov Ballet Music

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 03/01/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"[I don't quite know why, but this performance was issued less than a year ago on Naxos' sister label, Marco Polo, and actually at a lower price. Ruses D'Amour, Op. 61 (Ballet in 1 act).]



Alexander Glazunov is known in the West primarily for three works -- his 'The Seasons' (and from that ballet one knows primarily the frequently excerpted Bacchanale from the 'Autumn' section), the ballet 'Raymonda', and the violin concerto which was fostered by Jascha Heifetz. He wrote lots of music which is barely known abroad. This is the nineteenth in Naxos's releases of his orchestral music and comprises his one-act ballet 'Les Ruses d'amour' ('The Tricks of Love') which as far as I know has never been presented in the United States or Britain. The ballet is about a duchess's daughter, Isabella, who is betrothed to Marquis Damis but who wants to be sure he loves her for herself and not for her title. She disguises herself as a maid-servant, he duly falls in love with her and she then reveals her true identity. Smiles all round.



The story was reportedly inspired by a Watteau rendering of a fête champêtre and thus the music has rococo features. Indeed, some of the melodic material was taken by Glazunov from a 16th-century publication concerning social ballroom behvior. Thematic materials and orchestration are reminiscent of either Tchaikovsky or Rimsky-Korsakoff with an admixture of Taneyevan counterpoint. There is, truth be told, little that is truly original or memorable, but it is all pleasant and expertly constructed. One might mention the delicate 'Danse des marionettes', the sweeping 'Grande Valse', the rumbustious 'Ballabile des paysans et des paysannes' and the lively finale.



This performance is pretty good. I have not heard any other recordings of the ballet and have nothing to compare it with, but the provincial Romanian orchestra under Horia Andreescu sounds more than adequate.



Timing is a little short for a CD: 50:56



Scott Morrison"