An earth-shattering performance
L. Johan Modée | Earth | 06/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having heard Ferenc Fricsay's outstanding, live performance of Tchaikovsky's sixth (Orfeo), recorded in mono in 1960, I couldn't imagine that he could ever surpass the deep understanding of this work - so evident in that intensive live performance - in a studio performance. But I was wrong: the performance on the present, earlier recording, recorded 1959, is a stunning achievement, not surpassed by his later live recording. It is rare to hear such musical intensity, as we hear in this earth-shattering interpretation.
The build-up towards the great climax of the first movement is extremely well calculated, a delicate balance between extremes. Fricsay's masterly control of this movement is probably the best on record, surpassing even Mravinsky's (DG) and Dorati's (Mercury). Second and third movements are equally well balanced and nuanced. And the finale is just as moving as we can expect after three superbly performed movements. The closing andante is very memorable and moving.
The orchestra is Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra that had its peak under Fricsay's baton. Sound is vintage stereo, well preserved and remastered, making justice to this outstanding performance.
Warmly recommended! This Pathétique is the one to have.
(Note: this recording is included in the DG box "Ferenc Fricsay: A Life in Music".)
"
Fricsay inspires superlatives
shep | Princeton, NJ, USA | 03/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fricsay's early 1950's mono performance with the Berlin Philharmonic, no longer available, was especially thrilling. This 1960-era stereo performance with the Berlin Radio Symphony is almost as good, with generally better sound (but rather obviously close-miked on some instruments).
His mono version was spectacular. "Fricsay's Pathetique was undoubtedly one of the really great mono records and every collection should include this classic performance...I know of no other performance on record of any symphonic music more true to the composer than this" (Penguin Record Guide, 1966). I could not agree more. DG apparently decided the sound on the later stereo version trumped the fine performance of the mono one when it decided to issue this CD.
In both versions, his use of tempos is remarkable and moving. There is no slow down for the march tune in the 3rd movement, and this makes it especially thrilling. The first movement in the stereo version is particularly slow, but it works.
My treasured copy of the mono Heliodor LP is 42 years old and still gives goosebumps like no modern version. It is wonderful to now have this stereo CD version in the catalog. A deeply moving performance."
The Pathètique to have
SwissDave | Switzerland | 04/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of those rare coincidences in which my favourite (or at least along with Mravinsky and Furtwängler and perhaps a handful others) interpretation is also one of the best-recorded. Certainly in its combination of interpretation and sound quality, or for those who only want one version to begin with, I would recommend this one. Although with Bartók, Dvorák, Kodály, Mozart, Smetana (and to some, his Beethoven Ninth, and a Verdi Rigoletto in German that doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves for this very reason) there's a number of candidates, this is as fine a Fricsay disc as one can find. Whatever happened to music-making of such freshness and substance? Make sure you get yourself a copy before this again disappears in DG's vaults.
Greetings from Switzerland, David."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1