Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Jean Sibelius, George Szell :: Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 / Beethoven: Symphony No. 5

A GREAT 5th AND A VERY GOOD 2nd...

NotATameLion | Michigan | 04/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is no denying that George Szell was one of the greatest conductors of the last century. He turned in some of the best cycles of Brahms and Schumann. His recording of Mahler's 4th is still considered the top choice in some corners.The best part of Szell's legacy is that it mostly available at discount price. Record companies thought they had the greatest thing since sliced bread in Herbert von Karajan. Therefore, we common folk don't have to pay as much for music by greats such as Szell--whom the recording industry treated like burnt toast.Philips has done some wacky and questionable things in its reissued "50" series...most notably uncoupling Haitink's recording of Mahler's 9th from the great Das Lied von der Erde recorded with Janet Baker. Yet I some of Philips's foolhardiness (some might say ignorance) should be forgiven because of their willingness to give this Szell recording its proper due. There is no lack of great Beethoven 5ths on the market. Yet Philips should be praised for having the courage to bring this one back to the fore. Szell's interpretation ranks among the best of all time. He and the Concertgebouw reach moments of sheer, seemingly hidden beauty that are not found elsewhere. All the while they maintain the integrity of the symphony's structure.This is one of my three favorite interpretations of this piece. Norrington's second recording (on Hanssler) and the famous reading by Carlos Klieber (on DG) are the other two. Klieber and Norrington win their points with me on insight they provide--Szell takes the cake when it comes to beauty.Likewise, the Sibelius is grand, if not great. It lacks the wonderful "secret" moments attained in the Beethoven, but is still (after Sir Colin Davis and Segerstam) amongst the better versions I have heard. The pairing is inspired.This is a great disc. The Beethoven alone is worth the price of admission. I give it my full recommendation."

Szell's Fine Conducting of Sibelius and Beethoven

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 08/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is yet another unexpected treasure in the Philips 50 commemorative CD series. George Szell and the Concertgebouw Orchestra give two captivating performances of Sibelius' and Beethoven's most popular symphonies. Szell's powerful, riveting account of Sibelius' 2nd Symphony will not replace those of Ashkenazy and Davis as first choice, yet his interpretation remains compelling. Equally mesmerizing is his regal account of Beethoven's 5th symphony. Needless to say, the Concertgebouw Orchestra performs with ample warmth and brilliance under the baton of Maestro Szell. The Concertgebouw Orchestra plays with the same technical precision shown by the Cleveland Orchestra during Szell's tenure as Cleveland's music director. Anyone interested in hearing one of the great 20th Century conductors leading one of Europe's finest orchestras should buy this CD."

Thrilling Beethoven and Sibelius

Daniel Lelchuk | NH, USA | 08/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is sometimes hard to imagine the great George Szell leading other orchestras, as by now he had become so absolutely linked with the Cleveland. But, in fact, he had a major guest conducting career, and this disc is just a bit of proof that the man was a true master, not just with "his" orchestra, but with others too. The Beethoven, first of all, is excellent. It is very interesting to compare to his Cleveland Beethoven. While the Concertgebouw maintains the tightness of ensemble and not overdone musical expression that the Cleveland brings to this music, they also add a further richness and depth of sound, part of which, it must be, comes from their incredible hall, the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. This can especially be noticed, for instance, at the very opening of the last movement, where trumpets ring with unbelievable clarity.

The real gem here, however, is the Sibelius Symphony 2. The Concertgebouw has various elements that make it a great Sibelius orchestra: rich strings, powerful trumpets, and top-notch winds, especially bassoons, which are so important for this symphony. Szell's interpretation is flowing and has a beautiful internal tempo within movements, but he also makes beautiful, tasteful rubati. This is certainly one of the finest Sibelius Seconds on record."