Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic's Meiningen Court Orchestra bring a fresh vitality to Brahms's First Symphony, coupled with the Tragic Overture, in this latest release from the Berliner Philharmoniker label. The performance, captured live at the renowned Philharmonie, showcases Petrenko's thoughtful approach to the composer's works.
The conductor has opted to use the original scores marked up by Brahms himself, adding an air of authenticity to the interpretation. While some might view this approach as overly directive, it ultimately yields a momentum that is difficult to resist, with a pronounced flexibility in the ensemble playing that brings out the intricate details of the score.
One notable aspect of this performance is the balance, which remains impeccable throughout the disc. However, there are moments where the solos seem overemphasized by the recording engineers, detracting slightly from the overall cohesion of the music.
The Tragic Overture, meanwhile, bursts to life with dramatic urgency, its expertly crafted arc propelling the listener on a thrilling ride. While it's recorded in an acoustic that seems more favorable than the symphony, this ultimately avoids the problem of a woolly bass line that can sometimes plague Petrenko's interpretation.
Overall, this is a compelling addition to the Berlin Philharmonic's discography, one that showcases the ensemble's skill and commitment to exploring the classical canon.
The conductor has opted to use the original scores marked up by Brahms himself, adding an air of authenticity to the interpretation. While some might view this approach as overly directive, it ultimately yields a momentum that is difficult to resist, with a pronounced flexibility in the ensemble playing that brings out the intricate details of the score.
One notable aspect of this performance is the balance, which remains impeccable throughout the disc. However, there are moments where the solos seem overemphasized by the recording engineers, detracting slightly from the overall cohesion of the music.
The Tragic Overture, meanwhile, bursts to life with dramatic urgency, its expertly crafted arc propelling the listener on a thrilling ride. While it's recorded in an acoustic that seems more favorable than the symphony, this ultimately avoids the problem of a woolly bass line that can sometimes plague Petrenko's interpretation.
Overall, this is a compelling addition to the Berlin Philharmonic's discography, one that showcases the ensemble's skill and commitment to exploring the classical canon.