The recital concludes with an instantly attractive suite drawn from Karayev's film music for Don Quixote--a set of miniatures in which "travels" function much as the "promenades" in Pictures at an Exhibition, setting off brief character sketches of Sancho, Aldonse, and of course Don Quixote himself, whose death is most movingly depicted at the very end.

The performances are basically very good. The Russian Philharmonic has its rough edges, particularly the violins in their highest register, but they certainly give a good account of themselves, and the repertoire itself is so worthwhile that it would be churlish to complain. We badly need a new recording of Karayev's ballet The Seven Beauties--complete, not the suite that appeared briefly on Olympia. Hopefully Naxos will turn this release into a series and allow listeners to get to know Karayev much better.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com