To get an idea of how thoroughly Marin Alsop has studied the composer's style, check out the fourth of the Hungarian Pictures (it's title translated here as "Slightly Tipsy"). She has the orchestra playing this music with the same kind of erratic, lurch rhythm the composer used in his own piano recording, a comic effect which is difficult to reproduce in an orchestra. The performance of The Miraculous Mandarin offers the complete ballet, with it's breathtaking choral finale, not just the more commonly heard suite. Alsop gets the orchestra to play with powerful rhythmic drive (equally true in the exciting Dance Suite) and a great deal of color. Some of the power is dissipated by slightly diffuse recording, but it's still a pleasure to hear this wonderful music played with such conviction and fine style.
5 The Mandarin Enters and Remains Immobile in the Doorway
6 The Girl Begins a Hesitant Dance
7 The Mandarin Stumbles-The Chase Becomes Even More Passionate
8 The Three Tramps Leap Out, Seize the Mandarin and Tear Him Away from the Girl
9 Suddenly the Mandarin's Head Appears Between the Pillows and He Looks Longingly at the Girl
10 The Terrivied Tramps Discuss How They Are to Get Rid of the Mandarin
11 The Body of the Mandarin Begins to Glow with a Greenish Blue Light - Bournemouth Symphony Choir
12 She Resists No Longer-They Embrace
13 I. Moderato
14 II. Allegro Molto
15 III. Allegro Vivace
16 IV. Molto Tranquillo
17 V. Comodo-Finale
18 I. An Evening in the Village
19 II. Bear Dance
20 III. Melody
21 IV. Slightly Tipsy
22 V. Swineherd's Dance
To get an idea of how thoroughly Marin Alsop has studied the composer's style, check out the fourth of the Hungarian Pictures (it's title translated here as "Slightly Tipsy"). She has the orchestra playing this music with the same kind of erratic, lurch rhythm the composer used in his own piano recording, a comic effect which is difficult to reproduce in an orchestra. The performance of The Miraculous Mandarin offers the complete ballet, with it's breathtaking choral finale, not just the more commonly heard suite. Alsop gets the orchestra to play with powerful rhythmic drive (equally true in the exciting Dance Suite) and a great deal of color. Some of the power is dissipated by slightly diffuse recording, but it's still a pleasure to hear this wonderful music played with such conviction and fine style.
