These are both very good interpretations showing an
urgent empathy with Sibelius's music. Levi shows himself to be a perceptive
Sibelian and his tendency to make new points along the way enhances
the effect. His orchestra is good with deeply satisfying and gripping
brass playing and a woodwind section well up to high standard. The recording
belongs in Telarc's central tradition: high on testosterone with the
glitz under control.
What a good though unusual coupling this makes! This
is Sibelius the hero. The First Symphony impresses immediately with
a very quiet tensely chattering introduction rising to a thunderstorm
of nationalistic protest at 3.02 of I. Each angularity and curve is
brought out - something I found refreshing; others might, I suppose,
find it mannered. A virile scherzo fairly bustles along. The finale,
flecked with tragic Tchaikovskian endeavour, recalls one of the best
performances in the Barbirolli EMI set. The Fifth Symphony is mature
Sibelius. Levi takes the same approach as he does with the First. Dynamic
extremes are wide-spaced. After an introduction that is a mite relaxed
Levi builds both the tension and the gigantic swing and stride of the
work. While Levi is certainly in touch with the drama of the music he
remains a subtle colourist as the warp and woof of aptly weighted woodwind
lines prove. Try the delicate filigree of the start of the andante
to hear what I mean (tr.6). The taut string writing can also be heard
in the rustle and scrape of the allegro molto as the ground is
laid for the bell motif horn anthem and for the haloed, exhausted and
nostalgic return of the theme at 6.41.
Vintage heroic Sibelius from Levi and Atlanta.
Rob Barnett
Atlanta SO/Yoel Levi