The Complete Symphonies

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 2001

Label: Philips

Recorded May (CD 1) and Oct (Op. 97) 1993; Oct 1995 (Op. 61), Großer Saal, Musikverein, Vienna
Made and printed in Germany.

Philips never bothered to distribute these very recent performances (issued on two separate full-price CDs) domestically, and it's even odds on whether this Duo reissue will make it to these shores. That would be a pity, for these are excellent performances, among the best available in fact. Their principal qualities include the superb playing of the Vienna Philharmonic and Riccardo Muti's lively way with the music of each symphony. First movements really move: the "Spring" Symphony bursts with vigor, the "Rhenish" leaps out of the starting gate with the necessary energy and (even more crucially) maintains it to the last bar. The slow introductions to the Second and Fourth symphonies relate logically to the gripping ensuing allegros. Schumann's charmingly lyrical slow movements never drag, and once again the finales impress by their rhythmic acuity and consistent level of tension.