COMPOSERS: Brahms
LABELS: ASV Quicksilva
WORKS: Symphony No. 2; Tragic Overture
PERFORMER: Royal Liverpool PO/Marek Janowski
CATALOGUE NO: CD QS 6102 DDD (1985)
Like Norrington and the London Classical Players, Janowski observes the exposition repeat in the opening Allegro. This adds to an already lengthy movement, but it improves the balance and amply justifies the massive development. The plangent Adagio resonates with warmth and sorrow. A well-controlled performance, less exciting than the spirited No. 1 (reviewed last month) but imbued with the same unity and clarity of vision. Christopher Lambton
Brahms: Symphony No. 2; Tragic Overture
Like Norrington and the London Classical Players, Janowski observes the exposition repeat in the opening Allegro. This adds to an already lengthy movement, but it improves the balance and amply justifies the massive development. The plangent Adagio resonates with warmth and sorrow. A well-controlled performance, less exciting than the spirited No. 1 (reviewed last month) but imbued with the same unity and clarity of vision. Christopher Lambton
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:36 pm