Critic Lawrence Hansen, writing in the current issue of American Record Guide, offered some realistic, but overwhelmingly positive observations about Delos’ recent re-release of a notable Russian Disc recording of works by Soviet-era composer Dmitry Kabalevsky. Hansen – while describing the music in general as “colorful, exuberant, (and) well-crafted” and “almost completely delightful” – harbors no illusions about Kabalevsky’s ultimate niche in music history, admitting that he can’t quite match the talent of his more prominent Russian contemporaries like Shostakovich or Prokofiev. Hansen acknowledges much better known treatments of the immortal Romeo and Juliet story by other Russian masters, but still maintains that Kabalvesky’s effort “… stands up very well … he captures the mood of the play, his orchestration is very apt, and his melodies are distinct…” He further professed his enjoyment of the “wacky, madcap score for The Comedians.”

Hansen also had some great things to say about the performances: “(conductor) Lapunov and his ensemble dig into the music with gusto … and verve.  This is not music for holding back and aiming for understatement, so this straightforward and uninhibited, but not over-the-top, approach works just fine.” In assessing this album’s performance of Kabelevsky’s well known Colas Breugnon overture, Hansen finishes his review by saying that “Lapunov’s interpretation strikes me as wilder than the classic Reiner (RCA) recording – and I kind of like it that way.”

We at Delos “like it that way,” too – and we bet that you will, as well.