Warner Classics & Jazz are proud to continue its celebrated Serebrier / Glazunov symphonic cycle with the 4th release in the series. Grammy Award-winning conductor and composer José Serebrier guides the Royal Scottish National Orchestra through a stunning Glazunov cycle – which Fanfare called “made in heaven” and which continues to draw attention to this oft-neglected composer. The Observer wrote; "Serebrier's intensity and precision draws attention to detail previously unsuspected of this neglected composer". The reviews of the previous RSNO/Serebrier Glazunov recordings called the performances "outstanding" and "a perfect introduction to Glazunov's sweet pleasures" (BBC Music Magazine / 5 stars). The release of Glazunov’s Symphony No.5 and The Seasons drew much acclaim. “Quite superb, rigorously thought out, and brilliantly executed,” wrote Gramophone, while Classics Today thought that “Serebrier's vibrant and vital rendition lifts Glazunov out of second-rate status and reveals his work to be one of the finer symphonies from 19th Century Russia.
“Glazunov is a composer close to my heart,” comments Serebrier, “When my father left Russia in the late 1920's Glazunov was at the height of his creativity. Glazunov stands as a link between Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, the turn of the century period before Stravinsky broke new grounds. Glazunov was one of the greatest scholars in Russian music, and it shows in every bar of his music. Most of his predecessors were self-taught and had other professions. Glazunov was one of the first full-time professional composers in Russia. His music has been neglected partially because some performers have played it rather "literally", without reading what's behind the notes. If played metronomically and without emotion, the music can sound uninteresting. It requires passion and subtlety.”
José Serebrier, who worked with legendary conductors Leopold Stokowski at the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall (as his Associate Conductor) and George Szell at the Cleveland Orchestra (as Composer in Residence), has been hailed by the New York Times for the “great intensity, precision and clarity” which he brings to his music making. One of today’s most-recorded classical artists, José Serebrier’s recordings have received 36 Grammy nominations and numerous international awards, including the Latin Grammy for "Best Recording of the Year" (for the CD of the Bizet-Serebrier "Carmen Symphony" with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra).
“José Serebrier and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra make a superbly articulated case for [the Sixth Symphony] but can't disguise the fact that the Tchaikovskyan overtones are self-consciously done, as if Glazunov was angling for the supposed succession from the outset.” Tim Ashley, The Guardian, 12th September 2008 **
“José Serebrier secures an entirely convincing performance in the most opulent sound I've yet heard in his RSNO Glazunov series.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2008 ****
