Search - Johann II [Junior] Strauss, Johann I [Senior] Strauss, Franz Lehar :: The Barbirolli Viennese Album

Charm and inspiration in equal measure

Ralph Moore | Bishop's Stortford, UK | 01/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not having ever owned this version of the Schubert Great C major, and being on the look out for a performance a little more affectionate and less hard driven than the Szell/Cleveland, I happened upon this Barbirolli Society double CD, available very cheaply in the UK but for some reason much more expensive in the US, and having read a few reviews online, I snapped it up. I am so glad I did; not only did I get a powerful and affecting version of the "9th" (now of course the 8th, following scholarly revision) but also a lovely programme typical of Barbirolli's "Viennese Nights" with the Hallé, Britain's longest-established permanent professional symphony orchestra.



I still enjoy the intensity of Szell's interpretation, ably delivered by the virtuosic Cleveland Orchestra, but the Hallé are no slouches and they inject a welcome element of echt Viennese elegance into their playing. Barbirolli takes a full five minutes longer than Szell and the difference is mainly in the last two movements; whereas Szell's Scherzo is brittle, brilliant and breathless, Barbirolli is much more charming and whimsical. He brings these same qualities to the lollipops by Johann Strauss I and II, Lehár and von Suppé and you see the logic of the planning of this programme by the Barbirolli Society. The inclusion of the Richard Strauss is equally apt, though I would say that both some technical limitations and lack of sheen on the part of the orchestra and a rhythmic grasp somewhat too limp from Barbirolli in the introduction make it less compelling than the rest of the programme - yet how suavely he directs the middle waltz section.



The sound is flawless: beautifully rich and full Columbia/HMV top quality engineering from the mid-60's and from Pye in the late 50's. I intend to investigate more of these Barbirolli Society issues on the strength of these discs."