Glazunov Symphonies Nos 1-3 and 9
An affectionate approach to Glazunov’s early symphonic works
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: Warner Classics
Magazine Review Date: 12/2009
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 137
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: 2564 68904-2

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Symphony No. 3 |
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer José Serebrier, Conductor Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
Symphony No. 9 |
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer José Serebrier, Conductor Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
Symphony No. 2 |
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer José Serebrier, Conductor Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
Symphony No. 1, 'Slavyanskaya' |
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov, Composer José Serebrier, Conductor Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
Author: David Fanning
As elsewhere in the cycle, Serebrier lavishes enthusiasm and affection on all these scores, to particularly striking effect in the Third Symphony, whose slow movement I cannot remember justifying its length so eloquently. The playing is responsive and alert but not always ideally balanced – Glazunov’s scoring needs rather more help than quickly assembled performances can be expected to provide – and the First Symphony suffers in addition from ensemble problems. Recording quality is adequate but cannot wholly disguise these shortcomings. So the main issue for collectors may be whether these two discs plug a gap. If they do, then they serve the purpose quite respectably.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.

Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.