RUBINSTEIN: Symphony No. 1, Ivan the Terrible

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Košice;
Stankovsky, Robert

8.555476

"We remember Anton RUBINSTEIN as an outstanding pianist who rivalled, and even outshone, Liszt. He gave his first public concert when aged 10 and toured Scandinavia, Austria, Germany, London and Paris as a child virtuoso...

The Symphony No. 1 in F Major is a charming and well-crafted work, written at a time when Rubinstein was in St Petersburg, being supported by the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, sister-in-law of the Tsar. The work has strong influences of Mendelssohn (who died three years previously) with a clear framework, memorable themes and dynamic rhythms. This symphony combines technical skill with romantic charm.

The CD is well recorded and the orchestra plays competently under Robert Stankovsky who studied at the Bratislava Conservatorium. Aged only 25 when he made this recording, he is regarded as one of the best conductors in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Kosice lies in a province which boasts a long tradition of providing Vienna with good musicians. • Raymond Walker, MusicWeb International, June 2008

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Naxos

03-04-2001

747313547623