Search - Bela Bartok, Leos Janacek, Andre Previn :: Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Janácek: Sinfonietta

A solid value in performance, sound, and price

Xyp | Cincinnati, OH | 09/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To say that either Andre Previn or the LA Philharmonic fail in this music's interpretation (as you may read in other reviews) is, I believe, unreasonable. In fact, this disc's performances and execution are absolutely solid at the very worst, and certainly have legitimate moments of inspiration at more than a few points. Previn's tempi are without fault, and the LA Phil is responsive and vibrant- listen to the finale of the Concerto's Introduzione, or the translucent opening of the Giuoco delle coppie, or the energy of the Sinfonietta's Allegretto.



Granted, this disc isn't necessarily the collector's first choice in either of these works for those like myself who must own multiple copies of both of these pieces: Reiner and Chicago on RCA will always hold the field in the Concerto for Orchestra (for a more modern digital sound with all the thrill, try Salonen's more recent Sony edition), and for the Janacek Sinfonietta MacKerras will remain unmatched (on Decca, Testament, or Supraphon- take your pick), with Neumann or Serebrier as legitimate second choices. However, for this pairing- an inspired idea which hasn't been repeated that I know of- with great Telarc sound and at midprice to boot, this disc is a value for students and collectors alike. It deserves a place among the better recorded choices for both of these works."