Seasonal bells ring out

{TABLE} The Bells ........... Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances .... Rachmaninov {/TABLE} RACHMANINOV was profoundly affected by the sound of bells. The finale of his First Suite for two pianos, written in 1893, includes a dazzling early musical employment of his fascination with tintinnabulation.

Twenty years later, on receiving a copy of Konstantin Balmont's Russian language re working of Edgar Allan Poe's The Bells, the composer set the text to music.

The resulting choral symphony in four movements is rarely heard, although it was Rachmaninov's favourite among his compositions.

Last night's performance by the National Symphony Orchestra, under principal guest conductor Alexander Anissimov, marked the first public hearing of the RTE Philharmonic Choir since Mark Duley took over as director. The choir's singing in this demanding piece already shows signs of regeneration.

Ivan Choupenitch, the tenor soloist in the "silver sleigh bells" of the opening movement, showed too much an inclination towards a manner that sounded heroically heartbroken, and in the "mellow wedding bells" of the second, Helen Field had the vocal mannerisms of Slavic sopranos but little of their compensating expressive quality. The finest solo singing came in the "mournful iron bells" of the finale, where baritone Oleg Melnikov conveyed Rachmaninovian melancholy with a dark, metallic glint.

Anissimov is as insightful an interpreter of Rachmaninov as I've heard in Dublin. His uncanny knack of managing to keep every strand of the composer's rich tapestries in sight is rewarding. And the cheering at the end of the evening indicated the appreciation he's receiving.