Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Neeme Järvi, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Mazeppa

Excellent re-issue!

S Duncan | London | 05/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a most welcome set. It is a re-issue of a formerly scarce set (which I reviewed ananymously at the time). Finally, proof that Gergiev (his merits aside) is not the final or only word. This is a top choice and stands its own but permit me to say: in my view, this is superior to the Kirov recording.



I have two small reservations.



I admire this Galina Gorchakova. She does not at all display the unsteadiness and wobble which is present in so many "great" Russian sopranos. She has a potentially large voice, which she manages quite skillfully. Her rich tone, however, sometimes brings her character closer to the mezzo of her character's mother , Lyubov (Dyadkova). The two voices, though beautiful, are too similar. Dyadkova is quite within her role, however....Gorchakova maybe does not sound as juvenile as one would imagine Maria to be. Nevertheless, her interpretation is excellent.



The other quibble has more significance, but still does not detract from my 5-star rating (mainly because Russian operas are such rarities that a fine recording such as this deserves every encouragement): the famous final mad-scene lullaby. This is not in truth solely Gorchakova's fault but also Jaarvi's in that this stunning aria deserves a more sombre and meaningful interpretation. Subsequent interpretations (concert recordings) have left me with the unshakelable feeling that the aria was just a little too hurried.....but still, acceptably done. Here, I lament the wasted potential given such a great conductor and Gorchakova's lovely voice.



All in all, however, a definite winner! I cannot resist the temptation to make particular mention of Kotscherga's brilliant portrayal of Kotchubey. His excecution-scene aria is a moving tear-jerker. He builds up to the tragedy with awesome delivery and feeling. Larin's Andrei is elegant, done with convincing emotion and most beautifully sung!



I can't recommend this enough. A most welcome sight!"

A good performance but lacking information

Patrick Yamada | South Central Orange County, CA USA | 12/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just began playing the CD's, and I am already disappointed. While I like the performance so far (as I do most of Neeme Jarvi's direction of Russian works), I was saddened by the exclusion of liner notes or a libretto. The enclosed notes only give a summary of each scene. Especially if I like a work, I want to know more about it. Reading David Brown's biography of Tchaikovsky in The New Grove _Russian Masters 1_ gives me a little background on the work, but the CD notes offers none. Why should I listen to it? What brought about its creation? What was contemporary opinion of the opera? What are the singers saying to each other? Inquiring minds want to know."