Complete Symphonies & Concertos

In my opinion, Glazunov is one of many underappreciated Russian composers. His orchestral music is hauntingly beautiful and unmistakeably Russian. It deserves more audience, yet unfortunately it is not performed or aired all that often. I have found this box set to be exquisitely and fantastically gorgeous. This interpretation of the symphonies conveys the richness of the late romantic Russian atmosphere as I imagine it to have been and the Saxophone Concerto is a rare gem in the classical music repertoire beautifully performed by Marc Chisson on this occasion. I highly recommend this set, it is magnificent.This is what you get.Jose Serebrier conducting Royal Scottish National Orchestra (CD 1-6) and Russian National Orchestra (CD 7-8)CD 1: Symphony No 3 in D major, Op 33; Symphony No 9 in D major "Unfinished"CD 2: Symphony No 2 in F sharp minor, Op 16; Symphony No 1 in E major Op 5 "Slavyanskaya"CD 3: Symphony No 4 in E flat major Op 48; Symphony No 7 in F major Op 77 "Pastoral"CD 4: Symphony No 5 in B flat major Op 55; The Seasons Op 67CD 5: Symphony No 6 in C minor Op 58; La Mer Op 28; Introduction and Dance from Salome Op 90CD 6: Symphony No 8 in E flat major Op 83; Raymonda- Suite from the Ballet Op 57aCD 7: Violin Concerto in A minor Op 82 (Rachel Barton Pine - violin); Chant du menestrel Op 71 (Wen-Sinn Yang - cello); Piano Concerto No 2 in B major Op 100 (Alexander Romanovsky- piano); Concerto in E flat major for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra Op 109 (Marc Chisson- alto saxophone)CD 8: Piano Concerto No 1 in F minor Op 92 (Alexander Romanovsky- piano); Reverie in D flat major for Horn and Orchestra Op 24 (Alexey Serov - French Horn); Concerto Ballata in C major for Cello and Orchestra Op 108 (Wen-Sinn Yang - cello) ; Meditation in D major for Violin and Orchestra Op 32 (Rachel Barton Pine - violin)

If you've never heard Glazunov's music but are considering getting into it, buy this collection.If you've already heard Glazunov's music and you liked it, buy this collection.If you've already heard Glazunov's music and you didn't like it, buy this collection.I've heard just about every recording available of Glazunov's symphonies and this collection is absolutely the best, bar none. The problem with Glazunov's music is that in the wrong hands it comes off as sounding very banal and weak; Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov light, basically. The Russian National Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the hands of Jose Serebrier manages to avoid this problem completely. In this collection Serbrier brings out all that is wonderful in Glauzunov's music. His interpretation shows the depth and sincerity of Glazunov, along with the joy and beauty this music contains. It has caused me to completely reevaluate Glazunov as a composer. I am certain that these recordings will go down in history as the best ever done of Glazunov's work. We can now safety say that Glazunov belongs among the great composers of the late nineteenth-early twentieth century, and it is this collection that allows us to realize this.If you like Russian classical music, buy this collection.If you like late nineteenth century symphonies/tone poems/concertos, buy this collection.If you've ever had any opinion on Glazunov of any sort ever, buy this collection.

I can only agree with the other positive reviews. These are fine recordings, and I think the music, especially the later compositions, are quite delightful. Based purely on the music and recording quality, I would have easily given this collection 5 stars. It is a great introduction to Glazunov's music with which which I previously had little familiarity.However, I am apparently in the minority consisting of those who listen to CDs only on their computer. The "Buyer Beware" motto for this review stems from the fact that several of these CDs (4 and 5 in my case) won't play on a Windows 7 operating system. This seems to be an ongoing issue with Warner. However, these CDs will play on a Windows XP system, and in my case, I was forutnate to still have a Windows XP computer in my basement which I used to make usable copies. However, if you use Windows 7 and you don't have access to a Windows XP system (I don't know what the story would be for Windows 8), you my be in for some frustration.

I suppose that I should be giving this a 5 star review. The performances are obviously first rate. I was keen to try all the symphonies but I am sorry to be a Philistine as I still do not find them to be first rate. If you look at the wonderful Russian tradition of the symphony (say at the opposite end of the spectrum to their 100 year political history) there is simply a shortage of memorable melodies here. There are plenty of bright moments but plenty of dull ones as well. Sorry.

The RSNO performs beautifully and the recordings are very clear. Articulations and phrasing are masterful, bringing out the various voices in the orchestra.Glazunov's symphonic works are certainly worth a listen and I am happy to have this box set to compliment my music library.

What can I say... IF you like classical music, if you know and appreciate, or want to discover either the Russian National Orchestra or Glazunov, or both, this is a great box set! I can listen to this all day long and never tire of it, it's just sumptuously good!

No printed program notes included. A web address is provided from which (it says) complete program notes may be downloaded, but when attempting to access this address, an ERROR message appears. Cheap and shoddy job by Warner Classics!

This is a brilliant box set! I was not familiar with Glazanov expect his Season. Listening to his symphonies and concertos are fantastic. His name should equally be beside Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff.

You may be familiar with this composer from his best-known works such as The Seasons, Symphony No. 5 and the Violin Concerto. If you enjoy those, you will almost certainly enjoy the eight CDs in this slim boxed set. Not only are all eight symphones included, but a wonderful selection of additional works that go well beyond being simply filler. Of course, the Violin Concerto is there, but so are some works you may never even have heard of, let alone heard. For example, two piano concertos and a saxophone concerto, plus several smaller pieces than I'd go so far as to call miniature gems. Glazunov had a real gift for melody, akin to Borodin, and this is demonstrated time and time again in the works here.All these works are conducted and played magnificently by Jose Serebrier and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Russian National Orchestra. The recording quality is superb. In other words, everything comes together perfectly to provide a real treasure trove that I find myself returning to time and time again and again if I want some life-affirming and uplifting music.So if you already own some Glazunov and want more, this is where to find it. And if you don't already have any, I suggest just going ahead and taking the plunge with this set (out of print on CD but available for download at a modest price). I very much doubt you'll have any regrets.

I think Glazunov is the Cinderella of the romantic Russian composers. A follower of Tchaikovski,a student and friend of Rimsky-Korsakov and a contempory and friend of Rachmaninov, he crossed the period. Yet his melodic, tuneful and flowing music is so often overlooked both in the concert halls and in recordings. This boxed set contains all his major works, capturing all the delicacy and vibrancy of Glazunov. This writer admits to being a fan of Russian romantic music in general and of Glazunov in particular and find these recordings to be an absolute treasure. The boxed set's notes (which have to be downloaded) are also recommended as a very good source of information. Very highly recommended.

Eight discs of fascinating music, most of it new to me. The symphonies and fill-ups were exceptionally good, and I played all of them 2-3 times straight off. The concertos are also interesting, if less so than the symphonies. Presentation is in card sleeves in a sturdy box, but notes were poor, just a list of tracks and a web address to get the notes (which were adequate when investigated). On the whole the set is recommended to anyone with adventurous tastes.

Overall, this may be the finest set of complete Glazunov symphonies released. I purchased it from the Amazon Marketplace, as it appears to be officially out of print. It should be reissued, however. Of the Glazunov sets I have (Svetlanov, Fedossyev) I find it the most satisfying. The Svetlanov is arguably fiercer and rougher hewn, but Serebrier is able to better offer the more lyrical passages.

This 8 CD Box set, containing the nine symphonies, both piano concertos, the violin concerto and a number of Glazunov's other works, is a must. José Serebrier beautifully conducts both the Royal Scottish and the Russian National orchestras; my personal favourites are Glazunov's fifth symphony, his second piano concerto, The Seasons and although I initially didn't much care for his violin concerto, by the time the fourth movement, the allegro, turned up I changed my mind.The price is very attractive and is excellent value; a small criticism is that one has to go to the websites for the original booklet notes and a potted biography of Serebrier, which I thought was a bit of a swizz - surely they could have been included in the box set?But that small penny-pinching hiccup doesn't mean that these recordings are worth anything less than five stars.This is terrific stuff.