Search - Alexander Glazunov, Valery Polyansky, Russian Symphony Orchestra :: Glazunov: SYMPHONY 1 / VIOLIN CONCERTO

Pleasant

David Saemann | 03/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Valery Polyansky, on the basis of this album, seems to be a non-interventionist conductor. He selects good tempos, maitains a proper balance in the orchestral textures, and otherwise does not let his temperament, such as it is, intrude on the performance. This is rather unusual for a Russian conductor, so many of whom have big personalities. His approach works rather well in the symphony, which after all is a youthful work rather free of neurosis and angst. Nevertheless, I miss the level of tension other Russian conductors might bring to it. The Concerto is somewhat more successful. Krasko, whom I've never heard of before, is a very good soloist--with a gutsy, occasionally grainy sound. Polyansky accompanies her hand in glove, so the whole is very satisfying. The sound engineering in both works is some of Chandos's best. But perhaps there are more satisfying recordings of this music."