Polyansky’s appalling Rachmaninov series comes to an end (hopefully) with this thoroughly second rate recording of the First Symphony. There’s no need to waste much time here, the defects of interpretation, performance, and sound being exactly the same as in previous issues. First, there’s Polyansky’s lumpish conducting of Rachmaninov’s lyrical passages, such as the first movement’s second subject and most of the slow movement. Next, we have an inferior orchestra sporting thin strings, asthmatic brass, tinny percussion, and whiny winds. Listen to the hideous sounds coming from the trombones just before the first movement recapitulation, or in the finale’s coda. Disgusting. Finally, there’s the shallow recording, with its skimpy bass and ugly emphasis on the brass at climaxes. As for the coupling, just play Polyanski’s attempted realization of Respighi’s orchestration of the Etudes-tableaux next to the excellent recent Oue/Minnesota on Reference Recordings, and you’re in for a shock. Don’t waste your money. [10/27/2001]
