Repertoire: The ULTIMATE Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain

[@robertodevereux4389]

I once read an article about the English Wagner-conductor Reginald Goodall, famous anecdote is when rehearsing a very loud passage he asked the orchestra to ‘please play it louder, like Solti’s Mozart’

[@james.t.herman]

Slatkin’s tenure at St. Louis was something special. I loved the series of albums they did of American composers. They could render American folk styles just right, where other orchestras often seemed too mannered. I remember hearing them live once playing a fantastic performance of a Haydn symphony. They did a Mahler Second that was talked up a lot in the ‘90s; it was good but not a favorite for me, because it made the piece seem too small scale. The St. Louis Symphony has faded from the scene since his time there, it seems. It was a real institution while he was there. You should do a top ten Slatkin and St. Louis albums video.

[@williamwhittle216]

Finally found and got this. You are so right!

[@peterhaslund]

In a short while you have become my go to for opinion on classical music, bravo Sir!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you!

[@rudyfan1926]

Late adding Hanukkah wishes, sending best wishes for a happy new year. Discovering your videos and renewing reveling in your exuberance and musical reviews has brought much joy.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Happy New Year to you too. Thanks!

[@AlexMadorsky]

This is indeed a wonderful recording which I haven't heard in some time. Time to keep on listening (again)

[@danielo.masson353]

Thank you for the recommendation. Just bought a Flac download. Recalls me one of my first encounters with the classical world, the Daphnis Suite n°2 (if not mistaken with Slatkin with Saint Louis too and chorus), a revelation during my not really 'Daphnis teenage'. This was so far that I believed that Slatkin was a very old conductor as I seemingly grew up and was surprised to hear his coming as chief conductor in Lyon. Great. With my best Season's Greetings.

[@irawong]

Joanna Nickrenz and Marc Aubort did such a wonderful job producing and recording sessions for Vox. It’s a shame they don’t often get the recognition that Richard Mohr & Lewis Layton (RCA) and Wilma Cozart Fine & C. Robert Fine (Mercury) have received for their body of work.

[@dmntuba]

I LOVE this recording. That recording (among many other Slatkin recordings) were must have staples in collections when I was in college...we all had them and loved them. So many years have past since college and so many recordings have come and gone, but this is one I must have again 😁 I know that Naxos owns Vox now (and hope they make them easily available) but maybe if you have time you could give a little talk about the history/life of the Vox label. Without being a major label they really make some great contributions...quality wise, price wise, and rep wise.

[@jessebrennan7130]

Doom & Gloom. Thanks Dave, gonna add this to my Halloween playlist...

[@classicrecordings]

Got it on the Mobile Fidelity release SACD and the sound is incredible.

[@mancal5829]

Lucky!

[@Baritocity]

I wasn't going to comment until you shared the first sample. I've listened to the Bernstein recording (and a band arrangement) a number of times over this year as recently as after Halloween. I thought at first that I didn't remember that moment in the piece correctly. Wow. This one might have to go a shopping list.

[@flowsouth8496]

Yes, why do I have to strain my ears to hear the percussion in so many recordings? This goes all the way back to Haydn and absent timpani in older recordings.

[@richtomasek9308]

Slatkin is a terrific conductor and this is truly an outstanding recording. For me though, the Reiner/CSO recording is the top one. Reiner is a hair quicker and he managed to create a rather scary atmosphere.

[@8BRInteractive]

This record also has a wonderful rendition of Pictures at An Exhibition. I've got the MoFi SACD, and I'm waiting for a good chance to pull the trigger on one of the Vox/Turnabout LPs so I can compare the two versions.

[@joewebb1983]

I wholeheartedly agree! Spread the word! 🙌🏻

[@paulbutler8219]

I'm impressed! I just got it for a tenner on ebay. I'm hoping the "Pictures" is just as good.

[@bendingcaesar65]

Thanks David. I did listen to Slatkin's disk after your earlier comments. I see your reasoning as far as orchestral color, and I agree. It's a great performance. I still like Solti, in a different way, but I thank you for introducing me to this one.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Sure thing! Thanks for listening.

[@mancal5829]

That was the first Mussorgsky disc I ever had. It is so good; the whole disc is, I believe. Hey, don't we need a Slatkin box?

[@NigelRamses]

Do I want my throat grabbed? Yes. Yes, I do.

[@1984robert]

I've just listened to this on youtube, great recording indeed. But there is a fault by brasses at 6:00 if I hear it well.

[@leestamm3187]

I'm totally with you on this one. It's an exquisite performance. I'm a long time Slatkin fan, whatever the orchestra.

[@HectorJW2007]

Erich Kunzel's recording with the Cincinnati Pops is the most spectacular sounding version I've heard, sadly "classical music folk" don't look for it maybe because it's a pops orchestra (despite being the same personnel as the CSO).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Or maybe it's just not as good as you claim it is.

[@BAW05X]

The reason I was surprised at your take on the Solti disc wasn't because of Solti's reputation, but because I bought the disc on your own recommendation. At the time, you called it a "remarkable" collection with performances "as exciting as it gets". So it's somewhat startling to hear it called "awful" now, even if I get the reasoning---there's so much excellence that's come out and been reissued since that "Decca Legend". I still like Solti's Tchaik 2 recorded in France that comes with it, though.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, I remember that. I also like the Tchaik 2, and the Glinka overture, but somehow that Night didn't do it for me this time around. Anyway, I don't blame you for being surprised and obviously I had no intention to mislead you then or now. I just got to be so enthusiastic about the Slatkin...

[@beckfield1]

I've had the Dutoit/Montreal Pictures/Bald Mountain/Khovanschina disc for years, and thought I had it pretty good. I was surprised to see you didn't favor it, so I got the Reiner/Chicago. I definitely see the superiority of Reiner's "Pictures." but I was disappointed with his "Bald Mountain." Well played, but way too fast, IMO. It gave up all the ominous drama. Made me wonder if Reiner didn't like the piece, so he played it fast to get it over with (old joke). The Slatkin sounds like it's closer to Dutoit's pacing, so I've ordered this release, and I'm anxiously awaiting delivery.

[@The_Jupiter2_Mission]

I thought we were going to get which version of Bald(Bare) Mountain was the subjectively the best. Stokowski was my pick but I suppose that's another video. Rimsky, I always found too 'Disney' if you will.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I did a whole separate video comparing Rimsky to Mussorgsky's original. You might enjoy checking it out. It's in the Mussorgsky playlist on my channel home page.

[@specialforces101]

Sounds like Slatkin actually read the score.

[@cfibb]

Thanks David for the vid. I'm so going to get this disc. Really dug Slatkin/St. Louis Symphony's La Mer (on Telarc), too. Ever heard it?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Sure.

[@nickhamshaw1234]

Time for some Slatkin Boxes. RCA for sure. And Vox. Is it conceivable the two could be pulled together?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Probably not. Vox is now owned by Naxos.

[@mickeytheviewmoo]

It's a great version no question. Do you have an opinion on the reference recordings label version with Eiji Oue/ Minnesota Orchestra. Not sure it got much attention, but the sound staging/sonics are great if nothing else. I think a guy called Keith Johnson is the sound engineer. I take my hat off to him.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, great sound and a very good performance.

[@Peter-tg1kk]

I remember reading in a Rachmaninoff biography, a description of "the 5" and their careers. It ran "Borodin the chemist, Cui the engineer,...,Mussorgsky the alcoholic" Mean

[@markfarrington5183]

...to say nothing of "Balakirev the railroad worker..."

[@viningscircle]

While at it, does the "Pictures..." on this release merit high marks as well?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes.

[@markzacek237]

Just listen to a sound clip from Gnomus and you know you'll be in great hands! Super creepy.

[@MDK2_Radio]

I certainly haven’t heard every Slatkin/St. Louis recording, but I can’t think of any I have heard which were bad, or not really good. Did they ever make a hash out of a repertoire piece that they recorded?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Not that I'm aware of.

[@martinhaub2602]

Isn't it time for a complete Slatkin/St Louis Vox Box? So many fine recordings from that team. Another Night on Bald Mtn that gives me shivers: Stanley Black on London Phase 4. Vulgar as can be; but so exciting.

[@HYP3RK1NECT]

Muy buenas Buen hombre. Ya que me recomendó esta versión ¿cual es la mejor grabación de esta obra, pero finalizado por el propio Mussorgsky?

[@mancal5829]

Me parece que tiene un video dedicado a esa versión, aunque es de la opinión de que la versión de Rimsky-Korsakov es muy superior.

[@HYP3RK1NECT]

@@mancal5829 No lo niego, pero hice esa pregunta por que tengo la versión original, interpretado por Claudio Abbado, con la Orquesta Sinfónica de Londres (Sello RCA Victor). Por saber si hay grabaciones mejores (Pero eso no le quita a Abbado que hizo una interpretación bastaste buena).

[@robinhahnsopran]

Guess I need to go source this recording!

[@davidbo8400]

It's available on spotify and on cd. If you love Mussorgski's music you musst get that disk. Have a great time!

[@georgekatsoulas2394]

Stokowski version for me

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

That's another story altogether.

[@paulbrower4265]

Night on Bald Mountain is nocturnal, barbarous, vulgar, violent, and primitive. (The musical inspiration is brilliant, but that is a different story) That is what I want. I want it ghastly, and anything less is bowdlerization.

[@hutaolover6665]

well said!