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FERNANDO OLIVA   09/12/2003	Subject: SEARCHING FOR THE MYSTERIOUS RUBINSTEIN´S DON QUIXOTE Message: Dear Friends: Like ever, I must use this Forum to find answer to my request. Here you are a question for a specialized listeners: Did anyone listen anytime the "mysterious" Rubinstein tone poem "Don Quixote"? I am so curious about this work on Spanish Inspiration, after Cervantes. What´s your expert opinion? I read it was published from Marco Polo coupling Violin Concerto in C minor, but when this concerto was appeared on Naxos, it was coupled by Cui´s "Suite Concertante". I tried to buy Marco Polo CD, but is out of cathalogue. Thanks in advance for your information. I have listened today, with great pleasure Gade´s Symphonies 1 & 8. I also know Gade ans his works trough this Forum, the most specilized on Romantic Neglected Composers. Kind regards from Barcelona, Fernando.
John Boyer   09/12/2003	RE: SEARCHING FOR THE MYSTERIOUS RUBINSTEIN´S DON QUIXOTE IP: Logged Message: It is still available from Berkshire Record Outlet for US$6.99, but overseas shipping may be expensive: http://www.berkshirerecordoutlet.com/cgi-bin/seek.pl?StartRow=1&Label=MARCO+POLO&QueryText=rubinstein&RPP=10&AndOr=OR&Meth=Some&pprice=&genre= "Don Quixote" is not bad. In fact, it is one of Rubinstein's better symphonic poems. There is nothing Spanish in it. It is no more Spanish than Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" is Italian. But it is decently put together and fairly well orchestrated, at least by Rubinstein standards. The 1980 Grove mentioned that Rubinstein's influence can be heard in Tchaikovsky, especially the latter composer's weaker compositions. Think of the original version of the 2nd Symphony, or the weaker tone poems (that is, everything but R&J!). "Don Quixote" sounds like Tchaikovsky on an off day.
Mark Thomas   10/12/2003	RE: SEARCHING FOR THE MYSTERIOUS RUBINSTEIN´S DON QUIXOTE IP: Logged Message: There's also a new MDG recording of Don Quixote, together with the Cello Concerto No.1 amd the ballet music from the opera "The Demon". Recording number MDG 335. It's full price of course and has had mixed reviews. There's also a Russian Disc recording of Don Quixote coupled with his Ivan IV played by the Russian State Symphony Orchestra under Golovchin. I don't know the number. Ivan IV is, from memory, a dreary piece. I must agree with John's assessment of Don Quixote itself - there's no Spanish (or indeed Russian) flavour to it - a very Germanic and overlong piece of work, though better than some by Rubinstein. The Cello Concerto No.1, by the way, is a pleasant early work which could be by Mendelssohn after a heavy lunch. Good luck with your search...
John Boyer   10/12/2003	RE: SEARCHING FOR THE MYSTERIOUS RUBINSTEIN´S DON QUIXOTE IP: Logged Message: The Russian Disc recording is 11397. The MD+G number is actually 3351165. Like Mark says, the 1st Cello Concerto is OK, but not much more. Too bad MD+G didn't record the far better 2nd Cello Concerto, which is very Russian sounding and has memorable tunes. By the way, Leon Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra are doing "Ivan IV (the Terrible)" in New York (Avery Fisher Hall) in the spring. Alas, I fear that this will only weaken Rubinstein's reputation with the NY Times critics. I would hazard a guess that the Times critics are conversant with rap than Rubinstein. "Ivan IV" will not be a good introduction.
John Boyer   10/12/2003	RE: SEARCHING FOR THE MYSTERIOUS RUBINSTEIN´S DON QUIXOTE IP: Logged Message: The penultimate line of the above post was meant to read: "I would hazard a guess that the Times critics are more conversant with rap than Rubinstein."
FERNANDO OLIVA   10/12/2003	RE: SEARCHING FOR THE MYSTERIOUS RUBINSTEIN´S DON QUIXOTE IP: Logged Message: Dear Friends, As always, I wondered with your great musical and discographic culture. I would send to you a lot of thanks. I have surprised for John news. Is it true? Was a Rubinstein work performed in New York? I am afraid that "The Piano Lion" are entirely out of the repertoire. Ivan IV... Does it the same work of "Ivan the Terrible, a musical portrait", published on NAXOS coupling Rubinstein 1st. Symphony? For me it´s not bad... however it´s too slow, and a little bored. It´s so far to my favorite Rubinstein tone poem "Eroica Fantasia". Surely, I will try to find the version coupled with the 1st. Cello Concerto. Kind regards from Barcelona, Fernando.