Choice picks by Sinopoli

Press, 18 November 1989, Page 7

Choice picks by Sinopoli

By

ALLAN FRANCIS

GIUSEPPE SINOPOLI CONDUCTS: Programme of various pieces conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli to highlight conductor’s talents. DG CD 427 029-2.

This generous programme (over 70 minutes), is designed to illuminate the art of the conductor rather than the music he plays; it is coincidental that most of the pieces are among the most pensive and poetical written.

The only hint of anything approaching an overture is the “Mastersingers Prelude” from Richard Wagner, the remainder taken up with the Mahler “Symphony 5 Adagietto” and the matchless “Siegfried Idyll,” plus the complete “Symphony No. 8” of Schubert.

Although hardly a programme most would have considered an introduction to anything, it is indeed choice.

Sinopoli has already made his mark as a conductor, although he is among the new wave formerly confined to early Verdi and modern music, now broadens his horizons to take in Bruckner, Elgar and Richard Strauss. “His” orchestra was chiefly the London Philharmonia, but the future sees him as music director of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin (1990). Two excerpts played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra recorded here, show the handicap of the harshness that plagued Bruno Walter in the 19505. The Philharmonia Orchestra selections show infinitely more heart, re-

calling the palmy days when Walter Legge was at the helm. It is an interesting experiment, nonetheless, and Sinopoli benefits from the outing.

CALDARA CANTATAS: Geoffrey Coker, countertenor and Heather MacDonald, soprano, assisted by Douglas Mews, harpsicord and Helen Polglase, baroque cello perform 7 cantatas. ELY CASSETTE 007.

A good deal of preparation, involving much research by the School of Music at the University of Canterbury, has gone into this project to get the authenticity and atmosphere exactly right. This is obvious from the polished performances by all concerned, fully justifying the recording of the cantatas on a relatively new local label, Ely. Sound quality is crystal clear, yet resonant. Both principal singers have had overseas experience in illustrious company, Geoffrey Coker with the King’s College Choir, Heather MacDonald in London. Her tasteful style compares favourably with

.Emma Kirkby, her decorative lines are never overdone. The project deserves success.

BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 4 — “Romantic” played by the Royal Flanders Philharmonic, conducted by Gunter Neuhold. NAXOS CD 8.550154. DDD.

Everything about this symphony is big, the work is conceived on a massive scale, the movements are long, some weighty and the best interpreters are those who match Bruckner’s ideas closest.

The recognised masters of the idiom are Karajan, Bohm, Solti, Blomstedt and formerly, Jcchum.Another name has now been added to this list with the issue of this 1988 version — Gunter Neuhold.

This conductor catches the long flowing line and the big tuttis with the same flair that has marked the extrovert interpreters in the past, and again with those listed above. Neuhold must be considered as a serious contender, matching the authority of Klemperer, the earthiness of Bohm or the nobility of the older Jochum.

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: “Sea Symphony” No. 1 played by the RLPO and Liverpool Philharmonic Choir conducted by Vernon Handley. EMI CD 2142. DDD.

In his own way Vaughan Williams can sound equally as big as Bruckner, as this impressive opening bears witness. The movements too, are long yet full of interest and power. The final movement

alone occupies a half hour, and nowhere does it pall or lose way. Only the late version by Sir Adrian Boult bore the marks of the conductor’s age and failing powers, his earlier 1967 recording was better. Again, sound quality plays a significant role, so after some less than satisfactory performances (Previn), the way was clear for conductors the calibre of Haitink and Handley to bring new versions that are satisfactory in every way. At the asking price, the Handley is a “steal.”

• In this rapidly changing world, one of the few things that is constant is Christmas, especially as far as the record industry i,s concerned. One company makes a small concession of changing the labels, never the contents, so that year after year, Rudolph, a succession of jolly kings, Billy Vaughn, Pan Flute Carols and Snoopy all turn up again at the appointed time to spread the never-* changing joy. Others simply shake the cobwebs from the covers and offer the same diet as the year before (and the years before that). This is no bad thing, for we are assured of the established best anyway, and as we all know, Christmas does not change — and who would want it any other way? A short list of recommendations is: Christmas Carols from Canterbury Cathedral. BBC REC 429, Noel.. Kingsway Singers TRL--009, Huddersfield Carols. EMC3OS, Roger Wagner Chorale, EMI 536016, St Johns Christmas Carols Chandos ABRD 1201.