London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Antonio Pappano Conductor
LSO0900
This is hardly unfamiliar territory, I would think, for most BMS members, so there is not much point in indulging in too much description. Since stepping down as Music Director of the Royal Opera House Sir Antonio has become the Chief Conductor of the LSO. He is clearly at home in the repertoire like the music on this CD, and given the fact that, though the price is not stated, this disc will not be at full price, it will be good value for money.
There is (of course) the dreaded acoustic of the Barbican Concert Hall to contend with, but especially in No 5 I felt the engineers had done very well in presenting the music clearly and atmospherically. No 9 is a much heavier score and I was not entirely happy with the somewhat claustrophobic sound.
The performance of No 5 was highly convincing. Shaped con amore, everything fell into place. I particularly liked the very fleet and nimble scherzo.
No 9 is a different proposition. It is well-known that it was not much understood at its première in 1958, and still today I find it problematic. While trying to like it – especially in its more reflective and nostalgic moments, I find the general mood of truculence and bombast rather overdone. Of course, maybe the composer’s famous comment about the earlier 4th Symphony to the effect that ‘I don’t like it, but that’s what I meant’, applies here.
As it happens, I have had the privilege of reviewing the latest Bliss disc. Both recordings contain lengthy, complex music written by composers in their early 80s, which is a monumental undertaking by any standards, and I feel obliged to remark that it is Bliss who writes with more finesse and skill (albeit with similar musical opacity)
There is one final comment about the presentation. LSO Live present this issue with a substantial cardboard case, and one full of information. I have always loathed the so-called ‘Jewel case’ with its fragility (frequently damaged in the mail) and its inability to store a full liner- notes booklet. Done for cheapness I suppose and a false economy. So, thanks LSO Live!
Review by Geoffrey Atkinson