The hot-house Scriabinesque chromaticism of Szymanowski’s Second Symphony seems tailor-made for Valery Gergiev’s impulsive interpretation. Unfortunately, the Barbican’s dry acoustic undermines the Stabat Mater of its aura of mysticism.

Being a natural inheritor of Scriabinesque exoticism, Szymanowski is bound to bring out the best in Scriabin's most imaginative interpreters, which is why Valery Gergiev proves such a convincing interpreter of both works. He draws excellent playing from the London Symphony Orchestra.

All strength to Gergiev for allowing us to judge for ourselves by presenting the best possible case for [the First]

Both symphonies allow ample opportunity for the LSO strings to show off their rich, deep sound, especially in some of the more tender, lyrical sections...The volatile nature of both works, but especially the First Symphony, suits Gergiev extremely well..If you’re curious about exploring a new composer, and you like big, powerful, ecstatic orchestral music then this is a great disc to try out.

It can’t be easy to play, and Valery Gergiev’s LSO sound is technically brilliant, if a little cool emotionally...Fascinating, if uneven music – one hopes that Gergiev’s Barbican performances of Symphonies 3 and 4 will be released soon.