3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Balakirev over-cooked, January 8, 2000
This review is from: Balakirev: Overture King Lear / Symphony 1 / In Bohemia (Audio CD)
Balakirev's 1st Symphony is less well known that it ought to be, and I was hoping this newish recording (1998) would add a valuable new voice to the repertoire. Unfortunately, not so.
The BBC Philharmonic has one of the best wind sections of any orchestra; but in this recording, despite beautifully accurate playing, the whole orchestra seems strangely detached from the music. Sinaisky sets fast tempi throughout, and there is no feeling of grandeur or space. Compare this with the 1950's recording of Karajan and the Philharmonia - Karajan conveys awe, wonder, discovery; with Sinaisky speedy tempi substitute for drama. A shame, because the engineering is good; Chandos have done a fine job of capturing the sound. But nothing can quite make up for loss in the music.
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