The Bells, Symphonic Dances: Polyansky / Russian State.so

Though his music for piano is often characterized as turbulent, Sergei Rachmaninov's orchestral pieces can be as delicate as a flower. His ability to juxtapose style and tempo is one of the talents that makes his work so effective, as this recording testifies.
Rachmaninov's last symphonic work, the 'Symphonic Dances,' commences with a sweet, subtle "non allegro" movement that suddenly shifts gears nearly three-quarters through. The burst of percussion and brass amidst a sea of strings and reeds is an exhilarating surprise. The composer lets his passions flow smoothly, reaching full fever pitch for a climactic finale.
'The Bells' is a symphonic setting of Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, adapted to Russian. The evocative tone of Poe's writing fits Rachmaninov's powerfully emotional composition style remarkably. Although some license was taken in translation, the spirit of the work is still there. The four movements correspond to a particular bell: sleigh bells during courtship, chapel bells during a wedding, alarm bells during a tragedy, and funeral bells during grief. Conductor Valeri Polyansky understands the depth of emotion involved in this complex piece, but doesn't pander to sentimentality. The performance is remarkably touching and powerful because of his sophisticated approach.