May 04, 2004
Khachaturian Centennial Album
New Releases
Delos observes the hundredth anniversary of Aram Khachaturian’s birth (1903–2003) with a spectacular new recording of familiar and unfamiliar works by the great Armenian composer. Constantine Orbelian conducts the "crème de la crème" Philharmonia of Russia in music from the ballet Spartacus, probably Khachaturian’s masterpiece, with its unique blend of exotic melody, arresting rhythm and brilliant orchestration. The Funeral Ode in Memory of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was fashioned by Khachaturian in 1948 from a score he was composing for Mikhail Romm's documentary film on Lenin. In the Ode of Joy, luminous strings and harps set the stage for mezzo-soprano Marina Domashenko’s lovely solo extolling the beauty of nature and the motherland. As the Ode gathers momentum and orchestral richness, Domashenko is joined by the Spiritual Revival Choir of Russia for a radiant finale.