Volume 10 Issue 4 - December 2004

Some aficionados will buy all ten
discs.
Getting imo SACD is as inexpensive
as $1299 for a live channe
I
DVDISACD/CD/MP3
oream System- from Sony. complete
with speakers and a powerful
sub-wooter. It turns any TV into
a complete surround sound theatre.
I bought one.
Bruce Surtees
Concert Note: Sir Andrew Davis
conducts TSO performances of Sibelius
Symphony No.5 on December
8 and 9.
Sibelius - Symphonies S & 6
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis
LSO Live LS00037
It inust be terrifying for an orchestra
to perform for an audience with
n:cording engineers hanging around
as well. h is a testament to the high
standards of orchestras these days.
and to the wizardry of modern recording
equipment, that these products
are hitting the market so frequently.
This Sibelius disc was recorded
in the Barbican Centre, on
the London Symphony Orchestra's
own LSO Live label. But I'm not
convinced of an audience's presence
during these recordings, as
there is nary a cough nor a sneeze
10 be heard. and any live audience
would have to be .stupefied with
tranquilizers to refrain from applauding
from performances as
exciting as these. However you can
faintly discern the conductor trying
to suppress his urge to sing, but
nothing like the excesses of the late
Glenn Gould in that regard.
That being said, this is a very valuable
addition to the collection, and
would also be an excellent choice
for one's first Sibelius 5th in a junior
collection. The LSO displays its
usual finely crafted roar on the climaxes.
The discipline of the woodwinds
must be heard to be believed.
The less popular 6th Symphony is
particularly satisfying on this disc,
and it holds up well next to the Berglund
and Sarasce readings. At only
57 minutes, one might have expected
them to toss in Finlandia or another
tone poem, but that is the
record business.
John S. Gray
Bruckner - Symphony No.7
Orchestre des Champs-Elysees
Philippe Herreweghe
Harmonia Mundi BMC 901857
Volumes could be written about
interpretations of this monumental
symphony. which first put Bruckner
on the international scene. In
fact there are at least 15 recordings
in existence conducted by the
greatest conductors of past and
present and the public and critics
alike welcome a new recording
with great anticipation.
Philippe Herreweghe, discovered
by Nicholas Harnoncoun, already
has a great reputation in
Europe. He is a scholarly conductor
who thoroughly researches his
work. He advances some new ideas
about performing Bruckner,
advocating cutting away the mysticism
and treating it purely as music.
The orchestra of period instruments
sounds every bit as powerful
as any modern one due to magnificent
acoustics, a perfect balance
and the brilliance of the instruments.
With clear textures and
tempi faster than usual, the conductor
keeps tight control, concentration
and unwavering interest.
The wonderful first theme is
presented with the utmost sensitivity.
The buildup to the mighty
brass at the end of the first movement
is very effective.
The Adagio moves along with
richness and great feeling, well
paced to the two great climaxes.
The cymbal crash is missing in the
second climax, but theJ!f effect is
there. The Scherzo is electrifying
with its military trumpet calls and
the underlying menace of the obsequious
string theme. In the Finale
the main theme is light on its
feet, the unison trombone subject
Strong and menacing and the symphony
ends with a tremendous,
uplifting brass peroration. Excellent
digital sound.
J011os Gardo11yi
DECEMBER t 2004 - FuUARY 7 20.05