From the CD – There are few more-vivid versions of The Bells (to Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry translated into Russian) partly due to a closely-balanced recording that is rewardingly detailed, albeit with the vocal soloists too out-front, if less kind to dynamics. Edward Gardner’s conducting is at its best in movements II and IV (respectively ‘Mellow Wedding Bells’ and ‘Mournful Iron Bells’), the soprano in the former a little edgy if attractively Slavic, and the baritone is a model of gravitas in the lugubrious latter, the work here reaching an especially poignant and transcendental envoi, its import sensitively prepared for. Of the other movements, the opening ‘Silver Sleigh Bells’, whilst lively, sports a tenor who is a little lachrymose for such fresh music; leaving the third-placed ‘Loud Alarm Bells’ rather tame and under-tempo, seemingly to enhance syllabic articulation, although there is no doubting the overall excellence of the London Philharmonic Choir.
As for the ‘endgame’ Symphonic Dances, recorded with greater space, played with virtuosity and involvement, Gardner’s approach is also mixed: a well-judged Non allegro tempo for the first movement, although not all the writing for piano is played (from 2:10, for example; to do with varying publications, I believe) and there’s an attractive bluesy saxophone solo at the mid-point. The second-movement waltz is a little too suave although there’s plenty of fire in the Finale, yet if you are to let the gong overhang on the ultimate chord (first-conductor Ormandy doesn’t, 1941; recorded 1960) it has to be done with greater conviction than here, more an afterthought, and anyway swallowed by the audience’s reception. LPO-0132 (CD) and on two LPs.