These are big-boned, rich sounding performances of Borodin’s irresistibly tuneful and colorful symphonies. Mark Ermler draws solid, burnished sonorities from the brass, who play a crucial role in Borodin’s orchestral conception, especially in the outer movements of the First and Second Symphonies. The strings also generate a lush sound when called upon, as in the sensuous strains of Symphony No. 1’s Andante. Comparison with Ashkenazy’s athletic readings of Nos. 1 & 2 shows Ermler to be more concerned with sonority than forward momentum, as he is markedly slower throughout. However, at times his weighty tempos give the music a satisfying heft–justifying Symphony No. 1’s “Eroica” label. It’s just that when taken at a faster pace, these works can generate terrific kinetic energy, as they do in the now classic performances by Loris Tjeknavorian and the National Philharmonic on RCA. That set, which includes a moving rendition of Symphony No. 3 (completed by Glazunov), never has been fully available on CD, a disservice to Borodin lovers.
After Tjeknavorian’s, Ermler’s No. 3 disappoints by its overall bland approach, with soft edges and stiff phrasing. Even Stephen Guzenhauser’s Third on Naxos is superior, although his recording (of all three symphonies on one disc) suffers from shallow sound. So, unless and until RCA reissues the Tjeknavorian set in toto, Ashkenazy is the way to go for the First and Second. But since Le Chant du Monde offers all three (on two discs for the price of one) in robust sound that easily outclasses Decca’s somewhat distant recording, this release certainly should not be overlooked.
