Symphony No. 5 in C major (1945)
Symphony No. 12 "Simfonia Energica"(1967)

Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
D. Yablonsky (conductor)

Marco Polo 8.223332

Symphony No. 5 opens with a movement which sounds a little like George Lloyd in reflective mood. The second shows the influence of Shostakovich. It soon pitches into a boozy dance. A contemplative interlude momentarily glances in the direction of Vaughan Williams. The third movement is full of energy. The incantatory trumpet passage at 2:39 is notably attractive. A tentative Prokofievian waltz launches out and we find ourselves in some haunted ballroom. A fine adagio unwinds in the manner of Spartacus. The last movement has a big yearning tune alternating with jerky rhythmic passages. The final movement seems rather fragmented.

Symphony No. 12 is in a different idiom - dissonant though still basically lyrical. Textures are busy and there is much clashing. The second movement features intense work for the strings. The third movement has a fine flowing feel to it. The finale lapses into all-purpose dissonance. The style is rather monumental with great cliffs of sound jutting high into the air. Comparing 5 and 12 with their previous Melodiya recordings by different artists I had the impression that the Yampolsky performances would have benefited from more intensity.

The recording on these Marco Polos is clear but perhaps a little under-stated - a natural sound.

Rob Barnett, MusicWeb, January 1999