Notes and Editorial Reviews
This is an important release. A native of Azerbaijan, Kara Karayev (1918-82) was one of Shostakovich's favorite colleagues, and was a composer of genuine talent. Starting with what you might expect--an attractive nationalist style similar to Khachaturian's, here represented by the tone poem Leyla and Mejnun--he was later able to synthesize ethnic elements into a harmonious but modern personal style. The Third Symphony, for example, uses 12-tone techniques, but in an utterly lucid and melodious way. In this respect, Karayev resembles Frank Martin, whose use of serial methods similarly never overwhelms his own special voice. The work is brilliantly scored for a chamber orchestra, including important parts for piano and harpsichord (again
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shades of Martin), and if you enjoy good, serious, contemporary music you will find this most impressive.
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
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Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony no 3 by Kara Karayev
Conductor:
Dmitry Yablonsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1964; Azerbaijan
2.
Leyli and Medjnun by Kara Karayev
Conductor:
Dmitry Yablonsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: by 1947
3.
Don Quixote by Kara Karayev
Conductor:
Dmitry Yablonsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1960
Sound Samples
Symphony No. 3: I. Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 3: II. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 3: III. Andante
Symphony No. 3: IV. Allegro
Leyli i Mejnun (Leyli and Medjnun)
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): I. Travels
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): II. Sancho, the Governor
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): III. Travels
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): IV. Aldonse
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): V. Travels
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): VI. Pavan
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): VII. Cavalcade
Don Kikhot (Don Quixote): VIII. Don Quixote's Death
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Marvelous Piece of Music July 24, 2012
By Sydney Merritt (Ithaca, NY) See All My Reviews
"I have always had a preference for Russian Music with Shostakovich being my favorite. But the Karayev Symphony 3 and extras were a very pleasant surprise. The recording was, simply expressed, fantastic.The recording quality and performance, exceptional and typical of Naxos CD's. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this recording to anyone with an interest in modern Russian music"
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MORE July 17, 2012
By richard b. (salem, CT) See All My Reviews
"FIRST HEARD KARAYEV ON ONE OF THOSE LATE NIGHT OBSCURE LATE NIGHT BROADCASTS, DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. 7 BEAUTIES BALLET. MORE SHOULD BE HEARD FROM YABLONSKY/KARAYEV... NAXOS KEEP THEM COMING. "
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