Glazunov is my driving music of choice. From LA to Phoenix I play all the symphonies (Jarvi, of course). Raymonda a frequent soundtrack for going to Prescott. I love this music!

Saw Raymonda performed at the Wiener Staatsoper a couple of years back. Was blown away by the relentless great music and performances. They need to do a dvd. Most recordings available are old and need a complete refresh.

Totally agree! That is the exact CD I listen to frequently. It is gorgeously orchestrated. It’s Tchaikovsky on steroids.

My favorite part of this is your review of the traffic system in your area in the same way you give a repertoire talk.

The Raymonda Suite, in my opinion, omits most of the gems contained within the copious treasure chest that is the full un-abridged ballet. Glazunov clearly relished this comission as he did with his other ballet masterpieces. Technique wise, Glazunov had the full package -:equalled perhaps, but never bettered.

Glazunov certainly was in his element as a ballet composer. Some of his symphonies have this tendency of not really going anywhere. Some of them are really good, but somehow I always get this feeling that creating an abstract musical dramaturgy out of nothing was not really his strongest point. However, when Glazunov got his hands on a decent enough ballet libretto it provided him with a ready dramaturgy to follow and this seems to have really set his imagination free. Glazunov always seems to have composed his most lush and melodic music when he was trying to illustrate a tale through music.

Thanks for doing this; GLORIOUS is the perfect, one-word description of this work. The beauteous, life-affirming music just POURED out of Glazunov..but how much of the concert-going public know..or even care? Having purchased the full score, I would from time-to-time copy by hand the orchestral parts for my favorite dances..all rather brief...and perform them with my orchestra (did Act I's "Entrance of the Peasants" and Act 2's "Juggler's Dance" several times). But EVERY number in this ballet is wonderful, to the point that you are in a continual state of delight and fascination..how could the man write SO MUCH wonderful stuff? Somewhere around 2009, the Bolshoi came through Chicago and performed "Raymonda" at the Auditorium Theater. Fabulous production, though cut and re-arranged to suit the company's needs (essentially the same almost-complete version conducted by Zhuraitis that you mentioned). What was REALLY frustrating was the fact that the composer's name was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND in any of the Ads...newspaper, on-line, the actual Posters displayed outside the Theater, etc. This is the typical, pathetic disregard for composers of Ballet music, where the choreographer and principal dancers reign supreme (Glazunov WAS listed, at least, in the printed program). Terrible. But we still have the glorious music, and the Naxos/Anissimov recording is the complete score, in printed order. LR

Bravo for your advocacy of Glazunov's music in general and Raymond in particular! I was just reading a snide review in an old issue of Gramophone that compared Raymonda adversely with the Sleeping Beauty, but I don't see why it is necessary to play them off against each other, both are wonderful scores. I think if more people listened to Raymonda they would be shocked at how beautiful it is, for my money it should be ranked right up there with Tschaikovsky's ballets as one of the most beautiful ballet scores in existence.

On the inspiration of this very video I bought this set and wow! What a charming work. I needed something light after listening to the feed from Bayreuth of this year’s Ring Cycle. Glazunov must be one of Russia’s best kept secrets. He’s really due for a reevaluation as he has written so many superbly enjoyable works.

Start of a new playlist of road reviews, I hope. May I recommend the A9 up to the Scottish highlands which is one lane for most of it, with lorries (trucks) and caravans restricted to 50mph and no way to get past them. Beautiful countryside, and plenty of time to look at it. Music to the rescue!

Svetlanov with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra (Melodiya) remains a classic. But this Naxos album is a very fine one.

Love this series, and always love hearing about a great juicy nugget that you otherwise wouldn't have come across, except for Dave!...At this point in my life, 80% of my listening is done in the car; which excludes alot of pianissimo-happy music by default, unless I hit gridlock...so thanks again and great sample!

I got this! I got stuck 8 cars deep at Costco getting gas and heard i good chunk waiting. Good music.

Interesting assessment of the ballet. Years ago I bought Glazunov: Raymonda with Neemi Jarvi conducting. I believe it is on Chandos - but was abridged. I need to listen to the CD tonight and re- acquaint myself with the music.

You managed to make a description of traffic interesting. Also, you've sold me on taking this ballet for my 1 hour trip today, only 1 and a half more trips to completion.

Glad you enjoy Raymonda! iirc, I have also listened to Raymonda while traveling in the past. Ballets and operas are good for that.

Hope will not be stopped for driving under influence. :) But some say it's recommended at night to listen to some good music to not fall asleep.

Excellent music. Thank you!

Oh, but the Spanish did write a lot of 'Spanish' music. Lots and lots of it. But you'll have to plunge into the realms of the zarzuela to discover it. The zarzuela has mostly been restricted to local audiences but it still remains popular in Spain. If you like Spanish rythms in orchestal music, that is the place to explore.

You might want to stay on the Hutch and switch to 95 at exit 4A. You miss the traffic jam at Co-op City.