Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Russian classical music with Valery Gergiev's "Das Beste Der Russischen Klassik." This extraordinary compilation, released on January 1, 2013, under the Decca (UMO) label, showcases the maestroship of Valery Gergiev, a renowned conductor celebrated for his interpretations of Russian classical and operatic works. Spanning a generous duration of 3 hours and 14 minutes, this album is a comprehensive journey through some of the most iconic compositions in the Russian classical repertoire.
The album features a stunning array of orchestral and operatic pieces, including excerpts from Tchaikovsky's beloved ballets "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker," and "The Sleeping Beauty," as well as his symphonies and the dramatic "1812 Overture." Prokofiev's powerful works, such as "Alexander Nevsky" and "Symphony No. 5," are also highlights, alongside Rimsky-Korsakov's vibrant "Scheherazade" and the fiery "Flight of the Bumblebee." The collection also includes Stravinsky's revolutionary "The Rite of Spring" and his enchanting "Firebird Suite," demonstrating the evolution of Russian music from the romantic to the modernist eras.
Valery Gergiev's conducting is marked by its intensity, precision, and deep emotional resonance, bringing out the full grandeur and nuance of these compositions. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a captivating exploration of the depth and diversity of Russian classical music, performed by one of the most respected conductors of our time.
Prince Igor / Act 2: Polovtsian DancesAlexander Borodin, Mariinsky Chorus, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Night on Bald MountainModest Mussorgsky, Wiener Philharmoniker, Valery Gergiev
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation No. 18 - LiveSergei Rachmaninoff, Lang Lang, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Swan Lake, Op. 20 (Mariinsky Version), Act I: No. 13, Dances des cygnes: d. Danses des petits cygnes. Allegro moderatoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Ruslan and Lyudmila / Act 1: OvertureMikhail Glinka, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Scheherazade, Op. 35: III. The Young Prince and the Young Princess. Andantino quasi allegrettoNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Levitin, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Le Sacre du Printemps / Pt. 1: "L'adoration de la terre": IntroductionIgor Stravinsky, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act II: No. 14, Pas de deux: Var. 2. Dance of the Sugar Plum FairyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27: II. Allegro moltoSergei Rachmaninoff, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
The Firebird, K10: XVI. Infernal Dance of Kashchei's SubjectsIgor Stravinsky, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Symphony No. 5 in D Major, Op. 47: I. ModeratoDmitri Shostakovich, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Le Sacre du Printemps / Pt. 2: "Le Sacrifice": Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)Igor Stravinsky, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64, TH.29: 4. Finale (Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace) - Live At Salzburg / 1998Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Wiener Philharmoniker, Valery Gergiev
In the Steppes of Central AsiaAlexander Borodin, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act II: No. 12, Divertissement: d. Trepak (Russian Dance)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
Pictures at an Exhibition (Orch. Ravel): X. The Great Gates of Kyiv - Live at Musikverein, Vienna, 2000Modest Mussorgsky, Wiener Philharmoniker, Valery Gergiev