Search - Berlioz, Schubert, Van Beinum :: Symphonie Fantastique / Symphony 5

Surprisingly good

jhorro | VA | 07/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Van Beinum was underrated as a conductor, partly due to succeeding the great Mengelberg as conductor of the Concertgebouw. But Van Beinum was an orchestra builder, and before the orchestra became self-governing around 1952, theirs was one of the best partnerships in Europe. Decca at this time was interested in making recordings on the continent, and their recording techniques had gained from wartime experiments with microphones (to track enemy submarines). Then there is the cutting-edge recording techniques used by Dutton for the remastering. There are many things that make this CD special. As a whole, the speeds in the Schubert and Berlioz are on the fast side. At times, it seems as if the ensemble might fall apart, but it never does! The Beethoven is one of the first things van Beinum recorded in London. It is very well played and has never been released before. There were some cutting errors in the Schubert - listeners will notice the changes in level, but this is minor compared to the value and success of the complete CD, which does offer 75 minutes of playing time. There is much to enjoy."