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Song & Dances of Death
Posted by Jan Arell on July 29, 2023, 5:31 pm
Having read Göran Forsling's eminent "déjŕ review" of Hvorostovsky's Songs and Dances of Death, I listened to Kim Borg's recording via Apple Music. Good as that is, I have another favourite. It's another Finn, The marvelous bass Martti Talvela, in an orchestration of a third Finn, Kalevi Aho. That's an interpretation that really sounds as coming from a grave.
On the same disc is another rarity, the very first orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition, made by a Leo Funtek. Much darker than Ravel's. Both recordings were "Premier World Recordings", made in the mid 80's, and I haven't found any later. The disc in question is Bis-325. It can easily be downloaded in CD quality from eclassical.com for less than 10 USD.
Re: Song & Dances of Death
Posted by Göran Forsling on August 1, 2023, 3:01 pm, in reply to "Song & Dances of Death"
Thanks for your tip, Jan. I knew about that recording but I didn't know that the orchestral arrangement was by Aho. And to have Funtek's orchestration of Pictures is another treat. I have now downloaded the disc and look forward to listening to it.
Göran
Previous Message
Having read Göran Forsling's eminent "déjŕ review" of Hvorostovsky's Songs and Dances of Death, I listened to Kim Borg's recording via Apple Music. Good as that is, I have another favourite. It's another Finn, The marvelous bass Martti Talvela, in an orchestration of a third Finn, Kalevi Aho. That's an interpretation that really sounds as coming from a grave.
On the same disc is another rarity, the very first orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition, made by a Leo Funtek. Much darker than Ravel's. Both recordings were "Premier World Recordings", made in the mid 80's, and I haven't found any later. The disc in question is Bis-325. It can easily be downloaded in CD quality from eclassical.com for less than 10 USD.
Funtek's was not the 1st orchestration of Pictures - that honour belongs to Mikhail Tushmalov - although it is not complete missing 3 of the Pictures. Henry Wood did the next, also not complete and then Funtek. Funtek's was the 1st complete setting.
Previous Message
Thanks for your tip, Jan. I knew about that recording but I didn't know that the orchestral arrangement was by Aho. And to have Funtek's orchestration of Pictures is another treat. I have now downloaded the disc and look forward to listening to it.
Göran
Previous Message
Having read Göran Forsling's eminent "déjŕ review" of Hvorostovsky's Songs and Dances of Death, I listened to Kim Borg's recording via Apple Music. Good as that is, I have another favourite. It's another Finn, The marvelous bass Martti Talvela, in an orchestration of a third Finn, Kalevi Aho. That's an interpretation that really sounds as coming from a grave.
On the same disc is another rarity, the very first orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition, made by a Leo Funtek. Much darker than Ravel's. Both recordings were "Premier World Recordings", made in the mid 80's, and I haven't found any later. The disc in question is Bis-325. It can easily be downloaded in CD quality from eclassical.com for less than 10 USD.