3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A performance strong on fire and intensity, June 13, 2011
This review is from: Béla Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta / Viola Concerto - Wolfram Christ / Berliner Philharmoniker / Seiji Ozawa (Audio CD)
The Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta might just be Bartok's greatest work, although the competition is fierce. The competition is also fierce when it comes to good performances. Fricsay and, yes, Karajan remain top choices, but Ozawa's version with the Berlin Philharmonic here is actually a very satisfying one. It is, of course, immaculately played, but Ozawa is also impressively able to realize the intensity of the work - it comes across as a smoldering work with an inner glow and ferocity that is quite captivating (the opening fugue is particularly well done with a sense of noble gravity often missing); indeed, one of the striking things about this performance is the level of almost hysterical fervor the music reaches. Perhaps it lacks a little in mystery, and perhaps even in character, but a version as intense as this certainly has a place in the catalogue. It is a live performance, but the acoustics of the hall really does the work well even though the microphones are arguably placed a little too close. The unfinished viola concerto may not be at quite the same level, at least musically musically speaking; the solo part is very satisfyingly done - well-paced and appropriately colorful - by Wolfram Christ, but the orchestral accompaniment does, despite much beautiful playing, arguably lack a little in fire and spirit. The sound is again very good however. To sum up, then, while neither performance displaces the very best ones, this is still a rewarding release, very well worth considering.
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