Balakirev: Russia, Tamara, Islamey
Valery Gergiev / London Symphony, Mariinsky Orchestra (LSO Live, Philips)
(scroll down for English review)
本來想介紹Lovro von Matačić在1950年代為EMI灌錄的一張巴拉基耶夫管弦樂專輯，但聽了其中一曲就發覺錄音質素不足以表現這批作品，記起格杰夫也錄過那三首曲目，不過是不同樂隊及品牌，但在YouTube還是可以組成一張播放清單，以下連結就是了。
巴拉基耶夫在今天的名聲主要來自兩件事，一是他的炫技鋼琴曲《伊斯拉美》，二是他為「五人組」的精神領袖，雖然作品不少，但俄國以外的樂迷較少接觸得到。
三首管弦作品長度不一，以氣氛來說，從《俄羅斯》開始，然後《塔馬拉》，最後《伊斯拉美》就剛剛好，所以我就這樣排。
《俄羅斯》以有點崇高、甚或愛國情懷的旋律開始，中段頗有田園風味，或者就是俄羅斯古典音樂不時營造的「中亞草原」感覺，最後以舞曲結束。《塔馬拉》較長，頭四分一是深沉的引子，然後就是一些中亞風情畫，再去到狂熱的舞蹈。《伊斯拉美》的管弦版是由Lyapunov配器，他對樂隊的運用比巴拉基耶夫大膽，把原曲的火熱氣氛再升一級。 不算是很精緻及有深度的音樂，亦不會像柴可夫斯基及拉赫曼尼諾夫那麼深情，但也是易聽曲目之中，可以帶來新發現的作品。
I was going to review Lovro von Matačić’s Balakirev album he recorded for EMI with the Philharmonia Orchestra. But the sonics of that mono recording were just inadequate for such repertoire. Gergiev actually recorded the same repertoire but with different orchestras and on different labels, but it is possible to bring them together on one playlist.
Balakirev is now mainly known for two things. First, his piano bonanza Islamey which is still widely played. And you’ll see his name in music history textbooks as the spiritual leader of the Mighty Handful. Despite having a sizable volume of works they’re little known outside Russia.
I compiled this list to allow a natural escalation in mood. Russia (track 1) starts with a noble or patriotic melody. The middle section is pastoral, probably evoking the steppes of Central Asia so commonly depicted in Russian symphonic works. A fast dance rounded up the piece.
Tamara (track 2) is a longer piece and opens with a creepy introduction. There’s a similar scheme of Central Asian flavour and a frenetic dance in the end. This orchestral version of Islamey (track 3) was by Lyapunov who was more daring than Balakirev in orchestral colours. And he succeeded in bringing the already fiery music up an extra level. Definitely not delicate or profound, Balakirev’s orchestral music is also no match to the passion of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. But if you try it with an easy-listening mindset these are still eye-openers.