Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

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Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

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One major popular composer of Romantic orchestral music whose work, outside of his ubiquitous symphonic suite Scheherazade, is not terribly over-recorded is Russia's Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov. That, and a tendency toward what for him was an "orientalist" strain in harmonic practice and orchestration, makes Rimsky-Korsakov an ideal choice for the recordings on BIS of a relatively new ensemble, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1997 by conductor Kees Bakels. It is a testament to the skill of Bakels as an orchestra builder that he has raised such a fine musical organization in just eight years. Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol is intended as a follow-up to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of Scheherazade, already issued, and as an added bonus, the great Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawa joins the orchestra as guest in Rimsky-Korsakov's all-too-seldom-heard Piano Concerto in C sharp minor, Op. 30.

The music, recorded at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Hall in Kuala Lumpur, is both very well played and recorded. The Capriccio Espagnol gets off to a great start, with Bakels the orchestra is strongly sympathetic to the piece, though careful ears can pick out some raggedy ensemble in the last section. Ogawa alone is enough to make the Piano Concerto shine, and thankfully Bakels provides comfortable and gracious support to Ogawa's magisterial artistry. BIS has saved the best for last, as the performances of the Sadko Musical Picture, Op. 5, (in its second incarnation) and the Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36, are fantastic. Fans of Rimsky-Korsakov's popular "The Flight of the Bumble-Bee" will delight in its original context as part of the suite The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57.

Fanciers of the rarefied, perfumed, and colorful realm of Rimsky-Korsakov will find much to savor with BIS' Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol. While there are a couple of decent recordings of Rimsky-Korsakov's Piano Concerto around, this one with Ogawa is probably the best made in digital sound. This, among other positive attributes, should be more than enough to warrant a top recommendation.

Review by Uncle Dave Lewis, Allmusic.com

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Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

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Wow! Move over Stokowski! Kees Bakels and his Malaysian players go nuts in the last two minutes of the Russian Easter Overture, cutting the tempo in half just before the big peroration, then taking off like a shot with thrilling percussion and excitingly amended timpani parts. It's a blast, and how nice to hear a modern conductor willing to make free with the literal text in this music and simply have some fun going for broke. The remaining items in this collection, if not quite so deliciously eccentric, benefit from excellent playing and from Bakels' willingness to maximize the color and excitement of music that consists of little else.

In the Capriccio espagnol, the first-desk players acquit themselves proudly in the Variations, while Bakels drives the music as hard as it will go in the concluding Fandango, closing with a tremendous rush of adrenalin. The Tsar Saltan Suite includes as its third part The Flight of the Bumblebee, where it makes an apt interlude between the standard three movements. Both this work and Sadko sound as lively and enchanting as they ever have. That leaves Noriko Ogawa's bright and perky take on the rarely heard Piano Concerto, a delightful piece that never gets played these days as it lasts a mere 14 minutes and doesn't fit into any sort of normal concert program.

Sonically these performances remain in a class of their own. The brilliance and realism are simply breathtaking, with a full dynamic range, ideal depth and breadth of soundstage, firm bass, open highs, and a panoramic splendor unrivaled on disc. I would dearly love to hear what these players could make of, say, Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony, but there's also plenty more Rimsky-Korsakov (but not the symphonies, please) in the form of the remaining opera suites and overtures. In the meantime I will enjoy this often, and believe me, you will too.

Review by David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

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Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

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×

Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

Close

×

Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

Close

×

Noriko Ogawa, Malaysian PO, Kees Bakels - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol; Piano Concerto; Sadko, etc (2004)

Close