Detailing the works of one of Russia’sgreatest masters and full of fine, oftenauthentically Russian performances, thisfascinating 25 CD release is guaranteed toprovide hours of pleasurable listening.From the orchestral virtuosity of Scheherazadeto the poetic beauty of The Snow Maiden,the compilation contains all of the composer’smost famous works. It also featuresmany compositions which have not heldthe stage, or concert hall outside Russia,as well as they deserve, such as the littleperformedString Sextet and Quintet forPiano and Winds of 1876. The composer’sthree symphonies also make an appearance,as do many of his songs - ones that countTolstoy and Pushkin among their authors.Perhaps most importantly the set featuresseveral of Rimsky’s operas, from the lesserknown,carnivalesque May Night and Mladato the late masterpieces, The Invisible Cityof Kitezh and The Golden Cockerel, whichrespectively assimilate Wagnerian innovationand anticipate Stravinskian economy of idiom.Featuring folksong, fairy tale and bewitchingorchestration, this release contains manymagical moments, especially in the operas.It exposes all facets of the Rimsky-Korsakov’s character and records animportant part of performance historyincluding some of Russia’s greatest singersand ensembles.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• Performed by: Armenian PhilharmonicOrchestra, London Symphony Orchestra,Philharmonia Orchestra, LeningradPhilharmonic, Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra,Oistrakh Trio, Loris Tjeknavorian, YondaniButt, Evgeny Mravinsky, Evgeny Svetlanovand many others.• A 25 CD survey of Rimsky-Korsakov’sworks, featuring chamber music, song,orchestral music and opera.• Includes booklet notes by the Russianmusic scholar and journalist David Nice.

TRACK LIST

• Scheherazade • Sadko - Musical Picture • Song of India• The Tsar’s Bride - Overture • Fantasia on Serbian Themes• Symphonies Nos. 1, 2 &3 • Overture on Three RussianThemes • Symphony No.3 • Skazka • The Golden Cockerel,Tale of Tsar Saltan & Christmas Eve - Suites • Flight of theBumblebee • The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh &Pan Voyevoda - Suites • Piano Concerto • Piano Trio• Wind Quintet • Songs • May Night • The Snow Maiden• Mozart and Salieri • Mozart and Salieri • The Tsar’s Bride• The Golden Cockerel