| The examples of Russian playing that I have known in an orchestral context have been traditionally best exemplified in the old Leningrad Symphony set of Tchaikovsky symphonies, 4,5, and 6. That used to be the recording that one would point to to say "Now, that's Russian!"
Here's a monkey wrench to throw into the discussion: have the Russians, with the number of immigrants that they have had, succumbed to any loss of tradition in their brass playing style or does it still sound like it did fifty years ago? My recent experience hearing about the Bolshoi Ballet in Northrup Auditorium a few years ago tells me no. Apparently, the conductor wanted very loud, pin-pointed playing from the Twin Cities freelancers that played in the pit for those performances of Swan Lake. Of course, the conductor was a Russian.
I don't remember any Russians or Poles posting here, at TM, but I know there are a fair number of Finns that might have a hint of what's going on musically in Russia.
ML |