Symphonies no 5 & 7
Benjamin Zander has been making his
reputation by examining the correct tempos for familiar works,
as in his pioneering recording of Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps.
Here, on a bonus disc, which is longer than the performances,
he offers the most illuminating commentary on music since Leonard
Bernstein. Whether you agree with his thoughts on proper Ludwig
van Beethoven tempos derived from the composer's metronome markings,
if you have any interest in this music at all, you'll find his
discussion fascinating. He also has a gift for making poetic
analogies to music--a dangerous undertaking--that are utterly
convincing. As Zander admits, his performances of the symphonies
are not as necessary as his tempo discoveries (he recommends
Carlos Kleiber's Deutsche Grammophon recordings, as do we), but
they are remarkably fine ones, taken at those controversial tempos
and making them work. Telarc, which usually provides such exemplary
sound, has let Benjamin Zander down a bit. --Leslie Gerber |
