One of the most notable achievements of the RSNO during the years under Alexander Lazarev's leadership was the new-found willingness to take some large-scale works beyond the usual central belt venues. The irony on this occasion is that the local amateur choir had performed the same work in Dundee's Caird Hall precisely four months earlier, and had actually assembled a stronger vocal quartet than appeared this time.
By far the best here was the soprano. Marina Shaguch had made a very positive impression at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival as a leading member of the Kirov, singing Glinka and Rimsky-Korsakov. Her voice was not necessarily hugely powerful, but its purity of production allowed her to ride the orchestra with ease during the climactic 'Libera Me'. Nina Terentieva, a completely new name here, was also highly effective. While the men were both quite acceptable, they did not erase memories of the two voices that were so impressive in December.
What was, inevitably, a gain, was the contribution of Lazarev and his choir and orchestra - a wonderfully dramatic reading of this superb score.
Additional dates and venues to be confirmed.
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