KHACHATURIAN:  Gayaneh, Masquerade and Spartacus excerpts.  TCHAIKOVSKY:  Eugene Onegin, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty excerpts.  BORODIN:  Polovtsian Dances.
Philharmonia of Russia; Constantin Orbelian, cond.
DELOS  DS 3288 (5 channel)  TT:  65:12

A program of Russian favorites played by a smallish-sounding orchestra recorded in an overly-reverberant hall, opening with "Sabre Dance" from Khachaturian's Gayaneh, a performance marred by imprecise orchestral playing.   The "Spiritual Revival Choir of Moscow," bathed in echo, assists in the Borodin Polovtsian Dances. The overall effect is not unpleasing, but less resonance might have resulted in more instrumental definition. 

VIVALDI:  The Four Seasons. Concertos Op. 8 Nos. 5 and 6.
Massimo Quarta, violin/Moscow Chamber Orch; Constantin Orbelian, cond.
DELOS SACD 3280 (5 channel)  TT: 56:32

Vivaldi's most famous violin concertos, the first four of his Op. 8, known as The Four Seasons, are given rather rough treatment in this performance by Massimo Quarta. Although he has quite impressive credentials, his tone is wiry, even in the super-resonant acoustic of the studio in which the recording was made. Even with inclusion of two other Vivaldi concertos, the playing time of this CD is less than one hour.