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.

Tracklist:

Opening: The Girl And The Three Tramps
First Seduction Game: The Shabby Old Rake
Second Seduction Game: The Young Student
Third Seduction Game
The Mandarin Enters And Remains Immobile In The Doorway
The Girl Begins A Hesitant Dance...
The Mandarin Stumbles-The Chase Becomes Even More Passionate
The Three Tramps Leap Out, Seize The Mandarin And Tear Him Away
Suddenly The Mandarin's Head Appears Between The Pillows And He
The Terrivied Tramps Discuss How They Are To Get Rid Of The Mand
The Body Of The Mandarin Begins To Glow With A Greenish Blue Lig
She Resists No Longer-They Embrace
I. Moderato
II. Allegro Molto
III. Allegro Vivace
IV. Molto Tranquillo
V. Comodo-Finale
I. An Evening In The Village
II. Bear Dance
III. Melody
IV. Slightly Tipsy
V. Swineherd's Dance

UPC: 747313243327
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 4.19.05
Format: CD

Marin Alsop - Miraculous Mandarin (CD)