Rachmaninov: Aleko - CD

This page lists all recordings of Aleko, by Sergey Vassilievich Rachmaninov (1873-1943) on CD. Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock.

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Rachmaninov: Aleko

Sergey Murzaev (Aleko), Evgeny Akimov (Young Gypsy), Gennady Bezzubenkov (Old Man), Svetla Vassileva (Zemfira)

BBC Philharmonic & Coro del Teatro Regio di Torino, Gianandrea Noseda

Opera is one of the great musical passions of Gianandrea Noseda, who has explored it to stunning effect with the BBC Philharmonic. In September 2009 he became Music Director at Teatro Regio in Turin, one of Europe’s leading opera houses. Here he presents Aleko, recorded following a highly acclaimed performance at the Stresa Festival with the Coro del Teatro Regio di Torino and the BBC Philharmonic. The ‘all-Russian’ cast of soloists are Sergey Murzaev (soloist with the Bolshoy Theatre), Evgeny Akimov and Nadezhda Vasilieva (both soloists with the Mariinsky Theatre Company), Gennady Bezzubenkov and the world-renowned soprano Svetla Vassileva. Chandos has previously released The Miserly Knight and Francesca da Rimini.

Sometimes referred to as Rachmaninoff’s answer to Carmen, Aleko (adapted from The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin) was written in 1892 as a graduation work at the Moscow Conservatory and won the highest prizes from the judges that year. The rhapsodic Orientalism and effortless melodies in particular appeal. As a companion to his two later operas, Aleko illustrates Rachmaninoff early finding his own individual style.

“Gennady Bezzubenkov declaims powerfully as the Old Gypsy, and Evgeny Akimov is elegant in his short cavatina. The chorus, from Turin's Teatro Regio, supplies suitably languid tone.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2010 ***

“Noseda’s no shrinking violet, and this studio recording with the BBC Philharmonic, five impassioned Russian voices, and the choir of Turin’s Teatro Regio pulsates with passion...Sergey Murzaev barrels forth as the outsider hero Aleko; Svetlana Vassileva is succulent as the Gypsy with two lovers.” The Times, 17th April 2010 ***

“[Noseda] conducts with his usual mix of passion and intellectual rigour, and there's some startlingly effective playing.” The Guardian, 13th May 2010 ***

“Noseda’s skill here is to maintain control of pacing and to keep the drama both tense and fluid...Turin’s Teatro Regio chorus adeptly assumes its role as a band of Bessarabian gipsies and the BBC Philharmonic plays superbly.” The Telegraph, 14th May 2010 ****

Chandos Gianandrea Noseda Rachmaninov series - CHAN10583

(CD)

$16.75

(also available to download from $10.50)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Rachmaninov: Aleko

Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio, Vladimir Fedoseyev

Fedoseyev graduated from the Gnessin State Musical College 1957, and Moscow Conservatory 1972.

Relief - CR991093

(CD)

$15.00

Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days.

Rachmaninov: Aleko

Artur Eisen (Aleko), Lyudmila Sergienko (Zemfira), Gleb Nikolsky (Old Man), Gegam Grigoryan (Young Gypsy), Anna Volkova (Gypsy Woman), Vasily Lanovoy (narrator)

USSR Academic Grand Chorus of Radio & TV, USSR Academic Symphony Orchestra

This one-act opera was premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1893. Here we have the opportunity to experience Svetlanov’s unique interpretation, recorded in 1990. The introduction of a narrator’s part was a distinctive feature of this version and here is performed by a brilliant Russian actor Vasily Lanovoy. The part of Aleko is masterfully performed by Artur Eisen.

Melodiya - MELCD1001703

(CD)

$15.50

Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days.