Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Loris Tjeknavorian - Khachaturian – Spartacus (1999)

Spartacus has all the color and brash, brazen energy of Gayaneh, and is molded in the same, folk-like, flowing idiom but doesn't always steer clear of banality. Still there are lots of memorably ideas and exciting twists and turns, culminating, perhaps, in the famous Adagio with its poignant tune. Yet the ballet - at least the three suites here (I haven't honestly heard more) - is inventive enough and sufficiently imaginatively scored to keep one's attention throughout. The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra gives committed, idiomatic interpretations under the able leadership of Loris Tjeknavorian, colorful and attractively warm-toned when appropriate, but generally playing with more energy than refinement (which has both up- and down-sides in a work like this which at times border on the not-so-tasteful). The recording is pretty good as well - not always the case with this Khachaturian series - and this disc can be safely recommended as an hour of sheer fun.