{"product_id":"bax-a-orchestral-works-vol-9-the-truth-about-the-russi","title":"BAX, A.: Orchestral Works, Vol. 9: The Truth About the Russi","description":"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan class=\"COMPOSER12\"\u003eBAX \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12bi\"\u003eThe Truth about the Russian Dancers. From Dusk till Dawn \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"BULLET12b\"\u003e• \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003eBryden Thomson, cond; London PO \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"BULLET12b\"\u003e• \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003eCHANDOS 10457 (67:12) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eThis is Volume 9 of Chandos’s midprice reissues of Bryden Thomson’s extensive survey of the orchestral music of Arnold Bax. The good news for Bax fans is that these are two obscure but major works showcasing the composer’s distinctive and highly personal orchestral style. The bad news is that the music is not qualitatively on the same level as any of his symphonies or major tone poems. \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eFrom Dusk till Dawn \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Truth about the Russian Dancers \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003ewere composed respectively in 1917 and 1920 when Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes visited London and immediately captured Bax’s artistic imagination. \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Truth about the Russian Dancers \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e(at 46 minutes) is a major score (despite its ridiculous plot), and both works are replete with Bax’s typical colorful orchestration. These ballets also prove that Bax is not to be compared with Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, or Delibes as a melodist. Nevertheless, both pieces have their melodic moments. The lengthy and pivotal “Dance of Motherhood” from \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Truth about the Russian Dancers\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e is a characteristic Baxian lyrical effusion. “Karissima’s Farewell” is suitably dramatic in a gentle sort of way, and the final \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eallegro vivace\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e dance achieves a level of dramatic urgency worthy of Prokofiev, who seems to be Bax’s principal influence in these ballets. \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eFrom Dusk till Dawn \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003econtains several examples of lovely tone-painting, such as the aptly titled “Summer Night at the Window.” This may not represent Bax at his best, but there is plenty of gorgeously orchestrated, never-before recorded music here for the adventurous listener. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eBryden Thomson is obviously totally committed to Bax and conducts the music with plenty of rhythmic vitality. The sound is unequivocally Chandos, but on the top end of their game. Any Bax-lover will thoroughly enjoy this worthy presentation of some of his virtually unknown ballet music. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"font-weight:bold\"\u003eFANFARE: Arthur Lintgen \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Chandos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":49704179990808,"sku":"095115145722","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/4346\/3192\/files\/1334184.jpg?v=1777693767","url":"https:\/\/hbdirect.com\/products\/bax-a-orchestral-works-vol-9-the-truth-about-the-russi","provider":"HBDirect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}