Because Ballets Russes covers much familiar material, this collection of Russian dance favorites is perhaps best suited for beginners, and serious balletomanes may pass it by. Some pieces, such as Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers and the Polonaise and Waltz from Eugene Onegin,
Khachaturian's Sabre Dance, and
Prokofiev's "Dance of the Knights" from Romeo and Juliet are so well known that their inclusion here is merely obligatory and are of little interest. Somewhat more intriguing are the Polka from The Age of Gold, the "Waltz No. 2" from the Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2, and the Tahiti Trot by
Shostakovich, which lend a taste of the modern to this heavily Romantic program. The light pieces by Glazunov, Lyadov, and Glinka, seldom found on such ballet collections, are also welcome offerings. Missing from the mix, though, are any dance pieces by
Stravinsky, surely the greatest Russian ballet composer since Tchaikovsky and one who deserves at least a token of recognition.
Paavo Järvi and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France give vigorous performances, but their energies seem scattered because of the brevity of the selections and the disc's random program. Virgin's recording is decent, but a little flat, lacking sonic depth and resonance.