Orchestral Works, Vol. 18 - Masquerade / 2 Pieces / Pas de caractere / Romantic Intermezzo

"An automatic purchase at this price for anyone with an interest in this composer or the byways of theatrical music. It is better engineered than some in this series and is conducted and played with sympathy and insight. Appealing yet very rare music performed with great aplomb.
(MusicWeb Sept 2009)

Glazunov's beautifully scored incidental music for Lermontov's play Masquerade has only survived in manuscript. With characteristic genius, he illustrates both the glittering atmosphere and dances of splendid St Petersburg balls and depicts the horrifying descent into madness of the play's protagonist, Evgeny Arbenin, who jealously poisons his innocent wife. The shorter works on this disc likewise show Glazunov's amazing command of orchestral resources, whether evoking an exotic oriental vision, the vivacious spirit of Hungarian music, in the Pas de caractère, or painting a mood of gentle romantic lyricism.