Search - Strauss, Piguet, Suisse Romande Orch :: Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Don Juan / Inbal, Suisse Romande Orch

One of Inbal's strongest suits as a conductor is ability to shape large-scale works effectively. Ein Heldenleben, a 45-minute single movement for huge orchestra, is one of the largest, as well as one of the most successful. Inbal succeeds in rooting out a continuous melodic line, which requires constant attention to the balances, and strong playing from the instrumentalists. The Suisse Romande has some impressive first-desk wind and brass soloists, and--except in the most massive passages, where it lacks the sheer heft of the great German orchestras--plays well. Don Juan, an marvelously energetic, swaggering portrayal, receives an effective performance, but not as well as does Heldenleben, which is comparable to the best already available. The recorded sound, on both works, is top-flight. --Paul Turok