Zdenek Macal, conductor
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
“It is as if a colorful work such as the Gliere Second Symphony were just waiting for Virtual Reality Recording. Maestro Zdenek Macal’s dynamic performance of the Symphony in this context inspires the question: ‘Where has this music been all my life?'” – John Eargle
“Gliere creates for the listener a sweeping panorama of Russian imagery. He creates aural pictures, or in modern terms, movies for the ear. “Virtual Reality Recording allows the listener to share Gliere’s point of view in a way that is not unlike the experience of movie-viewing, where the viewer is engulfed in visual, aural, and emotional stimuli to the point of being completely captivated. The proximity of performers and listeners becomes more clearly defined and the sound stage, spacious and inviting, becomes virtually real. The listening experience is almost an interactive one. “It is the epic grandeur inspired by Russian lore that puts Gliere’s indelible stamp on this music. The recounting of an epic tale requires time, certainly, but in terms of sound, it requires space. And it is perhaps this quality of limitless spatial ambience that makes the marriage of Gliere’s music and Virtual Reality Recording a match made in heaven. The composer would approve.” – Neil Stannard
“A singular voice… [Macal] seemed to be inventing the music himself… a kind of conducting, risky by today’s standards, that recalls the great musical personalities of a half century ago.” – The Washington Post
Reinhold Moritzovitch Gliere:
Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 25 [45:51]
I. Allegro pesante (13:28)
II. Allegro giocoso (7:19)
III. Andante con Variazioni (13:32)
IV. Allegro vivace (11:32)
The Red Poppy Ballet Suite, Op. 70 [26:59]
I. Heroic Coolie Dance (4:01)
II. Scene and Dance (8:21)
III. Chinese Dance (2:02)
IV. Phoenix (6:21) Christopher Collins Lee, solo violin
V. Valse (2:24)
VI. Russian Sailors’ Dance (3:50)
