Chandos' repackaged Rimsky-Korsakov symphony cycle effectively steals the thunder from Neeme Järvi's set on Deutsche Grammophon. Not only is the Chandos set offered at mid-price,...

Chandos' repackaged Rimsky-Korsakov symphony cycle effectively steals the thunder from Neeme Järvi's set on Deutsche Grammophon. Not only is the Chandos set offered at mid-price, but Dmitri Kitajenko's grittier and bolder readings better present the music. While Järvi luxuriates in Gothenberg's smooth sonorities, Kitajenko draws more stark sounds from his Bergen Philharmonic players. This is especially telling in the Antar Symhony (which Rimsky-Korsaskov later published as a "symphonic suite") where Kitajenko's gruff approach makes the second movement's growling argument more forbidding.


The First and Third symphonies (not particularly strong works, but full of color) fare similarly well under both conductors, with Järvi perhaps a little brighter overall in the Third. Brighter too is Järvi's Russian Easter Overture, which finds Kitajenko labored and lacking that air of pagan ritual so convincingly conveyed by Temirkanov and the New York Philharmonic on RCA. In addition to the Capriccio espagnol, Kitajenko stacks the deck with fine performances of the Sadko overture and Rimsky's only Piano Concerto (nicely played by Geoffrey Tozer). Again, it's a slight work, but contains some really catchy tunes. Chandos provides its customary, big, rich sound. If you're looking for a complete set of these symphonies, this is the one to get.
--Victor Carr, ClassicsToday.com