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Review by akiralx December 13, 2004 (19 of 20 found this review helpful)
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First of all, after discussions here about misleading SACD multichannel packaging, well done to Channel Classics for clearly marking this as a 5.0 SACD on the cover. So a centre channel but no subwoofer in use.
Fair enough, and soundwise this is a truly remarkable multichannel SACD: at least as good as the recent (and excellent) Chailly Mahler 9 from Decca. The clarity and weight of the brass and warmth of the strings are wonderful, and the use of the rear channels is ideal: perfect ambient sound with no instruments looming weirdly out of the mix.
The presence of the pizzicato strings in the Scherzo is uncanny, while the lower brass have tremendous weight and power without ever overwhelming the winds or strings. As fine an SACD sound as I have heard, aided by wonderful orchestral playing. As one other site has said, if there is a company making better SACDs than Channel Classics, I have yet to hear them. This is perhaps finer than the wonderful Budapest/Fischer Dvorak SACD.
The performances are also excellent; I rather overdosed on Szell's famous LSO performance of the symphony a few years ago, and recently have only really listened to the First and Fifth for pleasure; but this reading is remarkably fresh as well as powerful. Fischer has inserted a couple of minuscule pauses into the opening fanfare rather than playing it as one phrase, but his interpretation is uncontroversial, just very idiomatic with an ideal combination of Tchaikovskian passion and exemplary instrumental execution from his superb orchestra.
The Romeo and Juliet concentrates more on drama and incisive attack rather than dwelling lovingly on the romantic aspects, so if you want to luxuriate then other readings may suit you more: I like Sinopoli's DG recording coupled with his fine Pathetique. Fischer certainly is urgent in this work: his performance comes in at under 19 minutes whereas most take over 21, and perhaps he could have relaxed a touch more for the love music, especially on its reappearance. But there are more than enough compensations: the high drama of the work is thrillingly handled and the closing pages are truly tragic with more than a hint of nobility.
Strongly recommended!
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