Search - Carl Maria von Weber, Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Benjamin Britten :: Giulini Conducts Weber, Schubert, Britten

Another fine live tribute to Giulini

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BBC Legends released this live CD for Giulini's 90th birthday, and the musicmaking on it is typically heartfelt, warm, and genuine. The dates range from 1968 to 1975 but only the latest recording, the Schubert Ninth, is in stereo. Luckily, the two mono recordings are clear and listenable. The opening Der Freischutz Over. is gentler and less dynamic than most; even so, it is natural and flowing.



Then follows the main work, the Schubert C major with the London Phil. (the rest is with the New Philharmonia). Giulini's way wth the music is modern only to the degree that he adopts a fast empo for the opening Andante. After that the Allegro section is broad and flowing. He doesn't emphasize dramatic contrasts, sharp accents, or haromic struggle. His is a romantic, old-fashioned view, but Giulini carries it off beautifully. You feel his sincerity in every bar, and even though the performance doesn't add up to greatness, it's very fine. The BBC's stereo sound is as good as many studio recordings of the day.



Giulini felt a greater affinity for Britten's music than any other foreign conductor, and he adds to a heartfelt War Requiem, also on BBC, this Building of the House Over. It was written, as I remember, for the Maltings at Snapes concert hall that was the center of the Aldebrugh Festival, which Britten presided over. The opening is a moto perpetuo reminiscent of Vaughan Williams's The Wasps, but with a hymn-like choral part and updated, ambiguously tonal harmony--a very engaging work that Giulini performs tenderly."