Search - Strauss, Bohm, Staatskapelle Dresden :: Strauss: An Alpine Symphony, Till Eulenspiegel / Böhm

Bohm conjures a visionary Alpensinfonie

ken yong | Kuala Lumpur | 06/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was my first sample of Eine Alpensinfonie and it is one of the most difficult works to listen to. In first listening, it is like listening Wagner's Ring; long-winded with very appetising fillers in between. To choose, parts from "The Ascent" till "By the Waterfall" shows Strauss at one of his finest, depicting nature the way Mahler did in his Third Symphony. Later on till the ferocious "Thunderstorm, Descent", the parts may flop into snorefest under lesser hands. For Bohm, one of the top Straussian conductors ever, he brings to life the markings and notes in Strauss' score into a vision, like Horenstein did with Mahler's Third Symphony. For every description of the movement, from flowery meadows, waterfalls and such, Bohms realises them fully. Karajan, reputedly has the most authoritative performance of this work with the Berliners, is miles away from deserving a spot alongside this recording. Even though Bohm lacked earth-shattering fortisisimos (can't blame the recording quality), it is a minor flaw compared to the vision he realises. If you want a depiction of nature by sounds just like Mahler or Sibelius by Strauss, then this recording is a must grab."