Glazunov - "Raymonda

[kotuszka]

I'm sorry for writing in English - I can read some Russian but can't write or speak it well.
I've just seen that Arthaus-Musik released in their new mid-price series Glazunov's "Raymonda". The performance from 1989 features Bessmertnova and Vasyuchenko. Does anybody know it and could write a short comment? Also, how is the music? I've read somewhere that Glazunov's ballet music is not at all inferior to that of Tchaikovsky but simply less known. What do you think?
Thanks in advance,
Izabela

[Lusia]

Dear, Dear Kotuszka !!! I'm so happy and glad you also found this wonderful forum, like me, and now we can exchange opinions on so many different issues and even become friends (you won't believe me, but I've already made some friends here, because I'm such a friendly person, you know ). I feel awful. I'm really ashamed. There's no excuse for me. It took me such a long time to reply you. But anyway I beg, beg, beg your pardon. For me and for all the wondeful people in this amazing forum. Just imagine, these days, all the progressive people in Russia (and, of course, please, have no doubt that all the people you see here are also very, very progressive) are preparing themselves to a brand new opera by Mr. Desyatnikov (which should be a masterpiece by all demands) set in Bolshoi Theatre. The libretto is based upon creative activity by a modern, famous and absolutely progressive writer, our contemporary, Mr.Sorokin. If you're not familiar with his bestsellers, the people here will be more than glad to help you. And so do I, a small and a modest Woman, suffering for years from co-existance with my husband (a real monster), these days taking a challenge and writing my own opera, which hopefully, will also be set on the stage of Bolshoi. Thus we'll show to the whole world and particularly to Mr.Sorokin and to my colleage Angella Antonovna, that Lusya can also be famous, if she only wants. I wrote some stuff about my opera here, but just can't recall where did I put it. I'm such a short minded old lady, you know...

And now to your question. Glazunov, my Dear, was not a progressive composer of his days, like, let's say, Schnitke, Alban Berg, and perhaps, Mr.Desyatnikov. But still, my dear, his music is charming, full of beauty and elegance, good taste and good traditions of the Old Russian School. These traditions are lost a long time ago and that makes me sad.... So, back to the point. Raymonda is a good place to start. Listen to it for several times, and after you find yourself a real Glazunov's fan, please turn to his symphonic works while paying a special attention to the Violin Concerto.
Ouh... Hope I helped you a little.
Please, feel free to ask more questions. And keep it mind - you have a friend here, and her name is Lusya. And I mean it !!!!


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[kotuszka]

Dear Lusia, thanks a lot for your post! I did get the DVD with "Raymonda" (with Bessmertnova and Taranda) and I got completely captivated! The music is quite good - certainly much much better than the average ballet music - and it works great with Grigorovich's choreography. It is a wonderful performance, so lively! And Bessmertnova is amazing - ever since I got that "Raymonda", I started collecting Bessmertnova's performances and I am getting quite hooked on her. But there was another surprise there - Gedminas Taranda of whom I've never heard before. What a charismatic dancer!
BTW, could you tell me what the name Bessmertnova means? Is it something like "Immortal", "without death".
Best wishes,
Izabela

[Lusia]

Dear Kotuszka !!! I'm absolutely happy to find here a person like you with such a refined taste !! I'm not deeply keen on ballet, but as far as I know, Bessmertnova is really considered to be one of the most prominent ballet dancers of Bolshoi Theatre. If we already talk about the Bolshoi Ballet, what's your attitude to the Godness of the Ballet, Maya Plisetzkaya ? I'll be very glad to hear you opinion. By the way, I warmly recommend you to get the book she wrote about her life, full of humour and written by a very very smart person, which for sure she is.
Back to Glazunov, now, when you've already got to be Raimonda fan, tell me yourself if his music is inferior to that of Tchaikovsky ? And did you start listening to his symphonies ? Please, keep me informed about your progress.

Dear Kotuszka, if you don't find me the next time you're here, I must be perished in the struggle against the dark forces of my favourite forum and the Bolshoi Theatre.... The heartless people here keep on their minds "banning" Lyusia. That makes them happy, but hurts me a lot. Anyway, please be guaranteed: Lyusia will always be your friend, wherever she is.

And for a summary, I have 2 small questions for you. All the people here will be very interested to know your point of view on some issues recently discussed here. Ok, let's put it this way:
1) Do you consider Myaskovsky to be a genious composer ? Please give a detailed and motivated answer.
2) Mozart or Bach ? That's how the question is stated. I'll repeat it once again. Mozart or Bach ?
Of course, all your answers will be greatly appreciated.

Warmest regards,
Yours, L.

P.S. To your question. You're correct: Bessmertnova stands for "immortal" in Russian. While my husband's last name Kuzilevitch means he's an idiot.

[Сергей]

Sorry for interfering with your dialogue; as for Bessmertnova, her family name indeed bears a connotation of immortality, but, literally speaking, this name, as many Russian surnames, has signs of genitive case, (if you know what it is; if you speak German or Latin, you definitely do), thus it rather means "[the daughter] of the immortal", as though one of her forefathers were immortal.
Indeed, Gediminas Taranda is one of Russia's most prominent dancers, so he should always be taken into consideration.

[Vivace]

Sorry for interferring your conversation


In my opinion a person cannot make choice between Mozart or Bach
They are not interchangeable . Each of them is unique event in the
culture of humanity .
As to me the answer for the question stated above is that I like both of them ; moreover both of them are representatives of their cultures and time periods which each of them lives in
They are both remarkable people

As to Myaskovsky : he was a great composer of his time
He wrote remarkable symphonies (all of them were recorded by Svetlanov ) very good violin concerto and brilliant cello concerti
and cello sonatas
You can like his works or you cannot ; in any case he was the remarkable event in Russian culture .

As to Raymonda , I by myself do not admire this particular ballet
so much .
Yet, I think that this is so since I did not not understand the musical language introduced by Glazunov yet.
In any case it is interesting ; since that the ballet does worth our attention .

This is a highly subjective opinion.
That is why , is interesting what you really think of that
You are really invited to do that .

Looking forward for your answer
Sincerely