Search - Carl Nielsen, Igor Stravinsky, Paavo Järvi :: Stravinsky The Rite of Spring & Nielsen Symphony No. 5 / Jarvi, Cincinnati Sympony Orchestra (Multichannel Hybrid SACD)

A mixed bag: good Nielsen, so-so Stravinsky

Alexander Leach | Shipley, West Yorkshire United Kingdom | 01/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Very much a disc of two halves - the Rite of Spring is well played but sounds really too comfortable compared to other fine versions by Markevitch, Boulez, Karajan, Muti and Inbal - among others. The sound too lacks impact with a low transfer level. This work really needs more aggression to come into its own than we get here.



However the Nielsen Fifth (probably his best symphony) is much better, more abandoned and visceral, and the sound is more vivid with greater presence - and it seems to be 'cut' at a higher level than the Stravinsky. This is comparable with Blomstedt on Decca and is a solid recommendation.



Both recordings (made a month apart in early 2004) make discreet use of the rear channels although the Stravinsky seems more loaded towards the fronts, so the Nielsen is the finer recording sonically as well as interpretatively - and rates just a little below the very best SACDs I have from a sound reproduction viewpoint.



So forget the Rite, there are just too many better performances around, but the Nielsen is worth investigating, a pity it comes yoked to the Stravinsky.



"

Mediocre At Best

J. Rich | 12/19/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Paavo Jarvi's reading of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" is too soft-edged and not vicious enough. This performance makes me think of Michael Tilson Thomas, because it's just way too easy-going and doesn't have enough bite. That said there are obviously better recordings than this one: Seiji Ozawa/BSO on RCA, Bernstein/NYPO on Sony, Levi/ASO on Telarc, and Stravinsky's own reading on Sony.



The reading of Nielsen's 5th is also pretty weak. Jarvi fails to capture the Nordic essence of the symphony. Herbert Blomstedt's reading on Decca is, in my opinion, the benchmark. Jarvi fails to bring the kind of excitement this symphony needs to make it convincing.



All of this said, the audio quality is excellent and the playing from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is excellent, but these two factors cannot save this recording from the dismal conducting of Jarvi. Buy at your own risk."

An Outstanding Performance of Nielsen's Fifth

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Paavo Järvi continues to explore the entire repertoire of orchestral masterpieces with his ongoing series of recordings with the Cincinnati Symphony. Some would fear that he is recording too many eras of music too quickly and the lack of success in every performance may add to that fear. But at least we have a vital conductor who has molded his orchestra into a fine ensemble responsive to his every command.



Stravinsky's oft-recorded 'Le sacre du printemps' holds its own as far as clarity of reading. Clearly Järvi is in the Boulez camp of keeping his eye and ear on inner voices. Yet at this point that clarity sacrifices the innate brutality of the score that makes live performances (and certainly some superb recorded ones!) stun the listener. Perhaps in time he will find the visceral aspects of this score, but at this point he at least finds hidden moments in the complex places.



The Nielsen Fifth Symphony is given a full out, no holds barred performance that has all of the sweep of any of the best recordings. Each of the orchestral sections sound strong and all play with robust conviction. Here Järvi pulls drama and urgency from his orchestra and the result is a very fine addition to the Nielsen recorded choices. Grady Harp, August 05"