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Site review by Polly Nomial March 28, 2006
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
After listening to Building a Library (BBC Radio 3) on the Holberg Suite last weekend, where this disc narrowly lost out to be first choice for the shelf, I thought I’d give this a try. I was not disappointed with the simply stunning recording and (just as fabulous) playing and I look forward with great eagerness to remainder of the ongoing cycle.
With music of this technical difficulty it can be hard to make the facile seem profound and interesting without appearing mannered. Ruud and the strings of the Bergen Philharmonic achieve this with ease. Even more remarkable than the lustre and sheen of the strings is the fact that none of these pieces which sound so idiomatic are actually “native” string works; all are transcriptions from piano music or songs.
The Holberg Suite is stunningly played; nothing rushed nor dragging, vivid dynamic contrasts and a beauty of tone of which the ear just wants to hear more and more! The subsequent Elegiac Melodies are played with a lovely sense of restrained passion (very appropriate for The Wounded Heart) yet with just enough forward momentum so that the musical line never sags. The remaining melodies are presented with comparable taste (and the strings are joined by their oboist in “Evening in the Mountains” from the Lyric Pieces) and together they form a delightful programme of simple yet quite beautiful music.
The BIS recording is exemplary; rarely have I heard such ravishing string sound presented so smoothly with the acoustic expanding so naturally around one in MCH. I cannot recommend this disc highly enough.
(Purchased)
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Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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Review by gonzostick November 11, 2009 (4 of 17 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
This disc sounds wonderful. It is also completely boring. One of my conducting teachers called concerts like this one a mass grave.
There is one glaring problem with the conducting. The conductor cuts out the pizzicato chord at the end of the first movement of the Holberg Suite. It must be because he never figured out how to do it in performance so he was comfortable with it. Nevertheless, it is in the score and should be played. Otherwise, the performances on this disc are very smooth, lyrical, and lovely but they are too much of the same thing.
For a stunning full string section recording of the Holberg Suite, try Gerard Shwartz with Seattle on Delos RBCD. That is wonderful and so very lush. Unfortunately, the disc mate for that performance is a dead-in-life version of the Grieg Piano Concerto.
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Review by fafnir July 30, 2006 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
I can only concur with Polly Nomial's previous review. I don't know which to praise more - the performances or the recording.
I doubt that a finer example of string orchestra recording exists in the catalog. The sound is both clear and warm without a hint of edginess at any dynamic level. Ambience is captured exactly right - making itself felt with being the least obtrusive.
Everthing on the disc is well-done, but I would single out "The Last Spring" as being exceptionally beautiful.
Most highly recommended.
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