The Moscow Sessions (1987) 24-Bit/96-kHz Vinyl Rip

The Russian orchestral strings are obviously moved by the Copland Appalachian Spring and Leighton Smith makes an elegant job of Glazunov's best Concert Waltz. Another novelty, The White Peacock, has a powerful atmosphere; one did not expect such a successful CD debut for it from Moscow. Both wind and strings find a lustrous radiance in this evocative score. The Unanswered Question is comparably potent with the conductors sharing the rostrom (Leighton Smith has the flutes). The sound is first class (as the bright-as-a-button Shostakovich overture readily shows at the opening), and the large TV studio in Moscow proves an admirable venue, offering plenty of ambience, while the microphone placing seeks a natural concert hall balance throughout the three programmes. There is brilliance without edge and the recording truthfully reflects the fact that the strings have not quite the body and weight of the finest West European orchestras, but that they do not lack commitment or vitality.
[ Gramophone Magazine, February 1988 ]

Recorded on August 9-18, 1986 at U.S.S.R. State Television and Radio, Moscow.
Analog recording into half-inch tape on Studer deck with custom designed electronics by John Curl. Mixing console and microphone were provided by Keith Johnson from Reference Recordings.
This LP was pressed directly from the analog master tape.
Listed in Harry Pearson's Super Disk List (TAS)

Track Listing:

Side 1
1. Dmitry Shostakovich: Festive Overture, for orchestra in A major, Op. 96
Lawrence Leighton Smith conducting Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

2. Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring
Dmitri Kitayenko conducting Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Side 2
3. George Gershwin: Lullaby, for string quartet
Dmitri Kitayenko conducting Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

4. Charles Tomlinson Griffes: The White Peacock
Dmitri Kitayenko conducting Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

5. Alexander Glazunov: Valse de Concert in D major, Op. 47
Lawrence Leighton Smith conducting Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

6. Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question, S. 50 (K. 1C25)
Lawrence Leighton Smith & Dmitri Kitayenko conducting Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra