This disc was greeted
warmly when first issued on the Tring
label and critical reception remains
pretty much unchanged. As a single CD
mixed Borodin anthology in contemporary
digital sound and at bargain price this
stands at the head of the recommendation
list.
The blend of works
places the Second Symphony at the core
of the collection. Around it are grouped
a clutch of orchestral perennials from
Prince Igor as well as the dreamy
and easygoing tone poem In the Steppes
of Central Asia. More than ever
this work struck me as a monothematic
mirage - a sort of precursor of Ravel's
Bolero. Schmidt plays it as an
oneiric vision.
His Igor overture
is sensational - drawn with great dramatic
insight. The roughened brass fanfare
crescendos are superbly done. Despite
being taken down in a studio environment
- CTS studios where Schmidt also recorded
his outstanding Sibelius 5 - Schmidt
captures the buzz of the opera house.
He grasps every opportunity to catch
the volatile dervish whirl of this music.
That magic can be gleaned from hearing
the frenzy of the first Polovtsian
Dance as well as the beguiling motion
and languor of the famous 'Stranger
in Paradise' tune. Woodwind solos flare
and flame suggesting the undomesticated
exoticism of the Polovtsi palanquins.
Menace is to be found in these scores
as the rather repetitive March shows
with its passing reminiscences of Mussorgsky's
Unhatched Chicks.
The Second Symphony
bears out all the same fine audio-technical
and interpretative qualities. Schmidt
resist the temptation to dawdle. His
first movement proceeds at a cracking
pace without gabble or smudged articulation.
Speaking of which this symphony is pretty
much of a works' outing for the French
Horns who distinguish themselves notably
time after time; two examples: discreetly
in the second movement's spasms of quiet
repeated notes and then in the third
movement's cantilena solo.
Schmidt's recorded
output is exiguous - more's the pity.
His Nielsen symphonies are core recommendations
as is his Sibelius 5; and all of these
are on Regis. They are all well worth
tracking down.
There are various single
disc Borodin collections but none as
competitive as this which must be a
first recommendation. If however you
were looking for all three symphonies
on one disc go for Tjeknavorian and
the National PO on BMG-Sony.
Rob Barnett
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Ole Schmidt 
