COMPOSERS: Berlioz
LABELS: EMI Forte
WORKS: Requiem; Symphonie fantastique
PERFORMER: Robert Tear (tenor); LPO & Choir, LSO/André Previn
CATALOGUE NO: CZS 5 69512 2 ADD/DDD (1981/79)
The Symphonie fantastique rarely appears as a filler, and this rather sluggish performance, particularly of the middle movements, despite many attractive details, is hardly a competitor on its own. In the Requiem, too, Previn favours slow tempi (except an impatient ‘Hostias’). Again, there is good detail; the end of the ‘Offertoire’ is particularly delicate. In general this is a competent English Choral Tradition reading; not exactly bland, but favouring monumentality at the expense of the music’s characteristically neurotic intensity. Julian Rushton
Berlioz: Requiem; Symphonie fantastique
The Symphonie fantastique rarely appears as a filler, and this rather sluggish performance, particularly of the middle movements, despite many attractive details, is hardly a competitor on its own. In the Requiem, too, Previn favours slow tempi (except an impatient ‘Hostias’). Again, there is good detail; the end of the ‘Offertoire’ is particularly delicate. In general this is a competent English Choral Tradition reading; not exactly bland, but favouring monumentality at the expense of the music’s characteristically neurotic intensity. Julian Rushton
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm