Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Gade, Debussy

This is an odd little collection of pieces. It very nearly succeeds as an off-beat tartan gift box, but with the Mendelssohn symphony occupying more than half the disc it effectively becomes – despite the title – just another version of the Scottish with an eccentric choice of makeweights. And if you want first-rate Mendelssohn, you should look elsewhere. As in the Berlioz, Gade and Debussy, the thin string tone lacks warmth and there is a sense of nervous agitation that makes these performances difficult to enjoy. Christopher Lambton

Our rating

2

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm

COMPOSERS: Berlioz,Debussy,Gade,Mendelssohn
LABELS: Koch Schwann Replay
ALBUM TITLE: Collection: From Scotland with Love
WORKS: Symphony No. 3 (Scottish); Rob Roy Overture; Echoes of Ossian; Marche écossaise
PERFORMER: BBC Scottish SO/Jerzy Maksymiuk
CATALOGUE NO: 3-6702-2 Koch Schwann Replay 3-6702-2 1990

This is an odd little collection of pieces. It very nearly succeeds as an off-beat tartan gift box, but with the Mendelssohn symphony occupying more than half the disc it effectively becomes – despite the title – just another version of the Scottish with an eccentric choice of makeweights. And if you want first-rate Mendelssohn, you should look elsewhere. As in the Berlioz, Gade and Debussy, the thin string tone lacks warmth and there is a sense of nervous agitation that makes these performances difficult to enjoy. Christopher Lambton

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