Raymonda (complete Ballet)

Raymonda (complete Ballet)

<I>Raymonda</I> is a full-length ballet clearly inspired by Tchaikovsky's three great works for the dance, and it's not far inferior to them. Glazunov was an immense musical talent, and an excellent composer of dance music. His works do run the risk of being labeled "routine," to the extent that he had such an easy gift at writing for orchestra that his music can lack the ultimate melodic distinction. In other words, he sometimes sounds too comfortable. But when suitably inspired, as here, and given a subject that really got his juices flowing, he could rise to the occasion. This is the only complete recording of a ballet score than has many superb moments, and at budget price it's a great value for the money. <I>--David Hurwitz</I>