Nikolai Myaskovsky - Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9 (Edward Downes)

Information

Composer: Nikolai Myaskovsky

• (01-04) Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 18
• (05-08) Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 28

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Downes, conductor

Date: 1993
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.223499

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Review

Here are two symphonies highly contrasting in musical language, yet stamped with the same gentle probing spirit that was always Miaskovsky's hallmark. The Fifth (of 1918) he once dubbed his ''Quiet'' Symphony, and it is indeed predominantly restful and spacious; yet there is also a troubled chromatic fugato in the first movement (the fugato in Shostakovich's Fourth is its rebellious cousin), and the Borodin-in-heavy-boots finale has as many shadows as bright spots. By contrast the Ninth (of 1927) is anxious and unsure of its footing, continually looking inward to its own subconscious. It conveys, to me at least, a sense of being profoundly hurt and yet alive; it constantly eludes one's emotional grasp at the same time as fascinating the ear by its Slavonic Twilight style—Rachmaninov as reheard by Bax, perhaps; it is also one of Miaskovsky's most highly wrought compositions, especially in its sonata-form scherzo.

The Ninth is new to the catalogue and is admirably served here by the BBC Philharmonic and that stalwart Russophile Sir Edward Downes. There is admittedly a rather crucially placed misread brass chord at the end of the scherzo (track 5 at 6'57''), but otherwise the preparation and execution of this far from straightforward score are scrupulous. Devoted Miaskovsky collectors will doubtless already own the Olympia CD of the Fifth, coupled with No. 11. In this work the British orchestra is marginally more refined, marginally less urgent and passionate, and where the Russian recording is a little coarse, the British one is a little recessed and muddy (the Ninth, recorded in a different location, sounds better). Overall this is a distinguished addition to Marco Polo's invaluable crusades on behalf of deserving, lesser-known corners of the orchestral repertoire.

-- Gramophone

More reviews:
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: **** / SOUND: ****
https://www.naxos.com/reviews/reviewslist.asp?catalogueid=8.223499&languageid=EN
https://www.amazon.com/Symphonies-5-9-Miaskovsky/dp/B0000045ZQ

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Nikolai Myaskovsky (20 April [O.S. 8 April] 1881 – 8 August 1950) was a Russian and Soviet composer. He is sometimes referred to as the "Father of the Soviet Symphony". Myaskovsky wrote a total of 27 symphonies (plus three sinfoniettas, three concertos and works in other orchestral genres), 13 string quartets, 9 piano sonatas as well as many miniatures and vocal works. He is professor of composition at Moscow Conservatory from 1921 until his death, and há an important influence on his pupils. His students include big names such as  Aram Khachaturian, Dmitri Kabalevsky, Rodion Shchedrin and Boris Tchaikovsky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Myaskovsky

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Edward Downes (17 June 1924 – 10 July 2009) was an English conductor. Downes was noted for his championing of British music, including music by George Lloyd, Alan Bush, Peter Maxwell Davies and Malcolm Arnold. He was associated with the Royal Opera House from 1952, and with Opera Australia from 1970. He was also well known for his long working relationship with the BBC Philharmonic (Chief Guest Conductor, Principal Conductor, Conductor Emeritus) and for working with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra. Within the field of opera, he was particularly known as a conductor of Verdi.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Downes

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