★★★☆☆ 1/2 Gorgeous playing from the Concertgebouw, but Jansons shows minimal involvement

Stravinsky: Petrushka; Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

It works wonders for Stravinsky's music to hear it played with effortless virtuosity, so it's hard to be critical of the Petrushka on this disc. Mariss Jansons and the Concertgebouw are dazzling, and the recorded sound brings astounding realism. But Jansons isn't aiming for aggressive impact, and too often it seems he is missing the inner drama. He rarely gives way to pure energy, preferring to phrase with delicate detail. His advantage is that he doesn't sound contrived; everything sounds clear and natural. But emotionally, it's all rather low key. The playing is so tantalizing that we're almost carried through. At least the music doesn't feel fussed over.

Gently steering the ship and making sure the sounds are gorgeous doesn't work as well in Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances. Here everything sounds proficient and rather soulless. Many conductors have turned the work into a showpiece for orchestral sumptuousness, but I think the joy of the work lies in its vigor and rawness. With Jansons, we hear great detail and polish, but I wish for more impact.

I've become a great fan of Jansons' work with his Bavarian Radio Symphony, but these readings show the lack of involvement that he has only recently fully overcome. I prefer Stravinsky himself, Monteux, and Abbado in Petrushka. Jansons has a better recording of the Symphonic Dances with the St. Petersburg, and I also enjoy Petrenko (my favorite), Gergiev, and Ashkenazy (also with the Concertgebouw).