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Review by akiralx January 6, 2005 (10 of 11 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
Very much a disc of two halves - the Rite of Spring is well played but sounds really too comfortable compared to other fine versions by Markevitch, Boulez, Karajan, Muti and Inbal - among others. The sound too lacks impact with a low transfer level. This work really needs more aggression to come into its own than we get here.
However the Nielsen Fifth (probably his best symphony) is much better, more abandoned and visceral, and the sound is more vivid with greater presence - and it seems to be 'cut' at a higher level than the Stravinsky. This is comparable with Blomstedt on Decca and is a solid recommendation.
Both recordings (made a month apart in early 2004) make discreet use of the rear channels although the Stravinsky seems more loaded towards the fronts, so the Nielsen is the finer recording sonically as well as interpretatively - it rates below the very best SACDs I have from a sound reproduction viewpoint, but is still good.
So forget the Rite, there are just too many better performances around, but the Nielsen is worth investigating, a pity it comes yoked to the Stravinsky.
The ratings I give reflect the imbalance here: the Nielsen is much the better of the two, and probably rates at least 4 stars for performance, and similar for sound.
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Review by madisonears September 26, 2007 (8 of 10 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
I have to agree that the Rite lacks some of the primal intensity that other conductors have brought forth in the past, but the orchestra plays flawlessly. If one can speak of this piece having a more lyrical aspect, then Jarvi finds it, as he usually seems to do. Within the frame of Jarvi's interpretation, this is a perfectly executed performance. It is still very exciting, not at all "lame" or "virginal". The recording helps to bring out the most beautiful sonorities of the orchestra's excellent playing. This disc features truly gorgeous sonics, not at all lacking impact. If you prefer the orchestra in your lap so you must bob and weave to avoid being struck by violinists' bows, then, no, you won't be happy. If you relish the sound of an orchestra in a hall with real acoustic space (even in stereo) and three dimensionality, you will love the sound of this recording. Every detail of the score is audible, each instrument is delineated with perfect tonality and lots of space around it, yet with very much of a wholeness to the orchestral image, and there is plenty of impact when played back at the appropriate level. I think that people really aren't ready for the full dynamic range that is now available on SACD. Many are accustomed to more compressed sound, even on digital recordings, and when they finally have a really dynamic recording in front of them, either they or their system doesn't quite know what to make of it. This recording, played back at realistic levels, will pulsate the walls of your house but never sound congested or noisy in any way.
The Nielsen is also very exciting, although it's a new piece to me and I haven't quite assimilated it completely. Sure sounds good.
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Review by mwagner1962 May 8, 2005 (6 of 9 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
This is my first ever schizoid SACD from Telarc. What do I mean??? This is a bi-polar SACD..not in sound, which is glorious, but the difference between the two pieces....
While I will agree 100% that the sound is very fine, it is the two approaches to the pieces that leave me basically lukewarm.
Let's take the selection that really excites me: the Nielsen 5th. Not since Herbert Blomstedt recorded these with the San Francisco Symphony (redbook, Decca) has a conductor gotten me so excited about Carl Nielsen. Plain and simple, the passion, fire, and introspection that is needed to make the 5th work is there, captured with Telarc's usual sonic glory!!!!
Now, the opposite, the dark side: The Rite of Spring. I have two stunning recordings of this piece...both Decca redbooks..one with Solti and Chicago and the other, Dutoit and Montreal. I am sorry, but Maestro Jarvi's reading of The Right of Spring is too sweet, polite, tame, virginal, lame...Where is the fire, the drama, the excitement???? This is Stravinsky with tribal fury (not a tea party), passion, demonic energy, that is not there with Maestro Jarvi's reading. Also, I have heard this piece played live on several different occasions.....
I will have to give the sound high marks, but based on my love of the Nielsen and dislike of the Stravinsky, I am not sure how to rate the performance. Wait, 5 stars for the Nielsen and 2 stars for the Stravinsky. That gives me a final 3.5 stars..:(
If you want a top notch SACD recording of the Nielsen 5th, then you are in luck. If you want a killer SACD of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (and dislike Nielsen) then you may need to look elsewhere. Or at least wait until someone else records it.
Cheers,
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