Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
         Orchestral Program Music

Scheherazade, Op. 35 (1888)
Symphony No. 2 - Antar, Op. 9 (1868/75/97)

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Kees Bakels, conductor
Recorded November 2002
BIS 1377 [74:34]

Program: Both works are cut from Arabian fantasy and contain brilliant
orchestration.

Musical Intent: Excellent performances of the two works require conveying
to listeners a fantasy world steeped in exotic story-telling.  In the
case of Scheherazade, her goal is to postpone her execution by the Sultan
by keeping him in an enthralled state with fascinating stories.  In
Symphony No.  2, Antar is a warrior/poet who has given up life with vile
humans.  In the desert, he saves a gazelle from a large bird of prey and
is given the joys of vengence, power, and love in return.  In this
four-movement work, the 1st Movement sets the stage for the granting of
promised joys, while the next three movements portray each of the three
joys.  Needless to say, the joys of vengence and power are super-charged
affairs.

Recorded Competition: Alternative recordings of Scheherazade are thick
with many of them quite exceptional such as those from Beecham, Anserment,
Gergiev, Reiner, Ormandy, etc.  For the Antar Symphony, there are only
a few alternatives with the Maazel and Svetlanov versions among the most
praised.

Interpretive Stand of Bakels: Unfortunately, Bakels and orchestra only
skim the surface of both compositions.  Never do they draw this reviewer
into Rimsky-Korsakov's soundworld.  Tension is usually deficient, and
rapture is practically non-existent.  Essentially, the fantasy atmosphere
is missing, and this results in non-competitve renditions.  These are
professional run-throughs not worthy of a recorded legacy.

Soundstage: Although modern sound in every respect, there is an homogonized
element that does not allow for a crisp or vibrant projection from any
of the orchestra's instruments.  In effect, this type of sound only
exacerbates the failings of the performances.

Other Reviews: Most other reviews I have read take the position that Bakels
does better with the Antar Symphony because of less recorded competition.
I do not share this view; Bakels is just as superficial in the Antar
Symphony as in Scheherazade.

Don's Conclusions: Take a pass on this premium-priced disc.  There are
many alternative ways to go to acquire excellent accounts of the two
programmed works.  The Maazel and Svetlanov Antar Symphonies are available
at mid-price, and alternatives for Scheherazade are ripe for the picking.

I should point out that the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra has only
been in existence for a few years and will hopefully find its stride
before long.  In the meantime, I suggest readers be wary of recordings
from this source, particularly when the music recorded is already well
represented on disc.

Don Satz
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