The Hyperion Dyad pairs Svetlanov’s Philharmonia performances of the two very similar symphonies of Balakirev. They bring consistently fine playing from the Philharmonia Orchestra. However, Svetlanov’s earlier recording of No. 1 with the USSR State Symphony Orchestra (which also plays very vividly, if with a less cultured veneer) has strikingly more red-blooded fervour and grip, while the new Hyperion reading of the Second must again yield to an earlier Russian version directed with passion by Rozhdestvensky. As these are available together on a single mid-price Revelation disc the Hyperion set is somewhat upstaged, except for those who want a more cultured orchestral style and modern digital sound, or indeed are attracted to the Hyperion bonuses, the Overture on Three Russian Themes and the symphonic poems Russia and Tamara.
Alas, the new Chandos disc of No. 1 is no real answer either. Sinaisky matches the warm, glowing Chandos recording with a genial, affectionate performance. The first movement opens atmospherically and flows well, and the orchestral playing is excellent, with a well-built climax at the close. There are moments of gusto from the brass both here and in the finale, where the conductor also relishes the Rimskian influences, but the performance overall lacks bite and adrenalin, and the Scherzo, although it has an attractive nostalgic delicacy in its trios, is without real sparkle. The Andante is beautifully played, opening seductively with a succulent Beechamesque clarinet solo, but the tension remains comparatively low throughout its 13-minute languorous progress. The finale is lively enough and caps a reading which has warmth and finesse but is in the last resort unmemorable. The King Lear Overture is pleasingly done, but the most successful performance here is the symphonic poem, In Bohemia. But for the symphonies the Russian Revelation disc is the one to go for. Of course the finest of all available recorded performances of the First Symphony dates from 1949. Karajan’s mono Philharmonia version remains unsurpassed; it even rivals Beecham’s account (reissued on EMI, 7/90 – nla). It comes coupled with Roussel’s Symphony No. 4 (equally fine). The mono sound is very impressive too.'