Symphonie n°4 - Suite n°4 "Mozartiana"

Album review

Recorded live, these performances of Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F minor and the Suite No. 4, "Mozartiana," are energetic and spontaneous, but the symphony is hampered throughout by lackluster audio, leaving only the suite as a viable selection. Jaap van Zweden leads the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with apparent subtlety and intelligence, and the musicians respond with feeling and skill in both works, so under better circumstances, the performance of the Fourth would be perfectly enjoyable for its musical values. It is possible that a patient listener might be able to find something worthwhile here, but the reproduction is far from ideal. The sound's dimensions are flat and distant, and the music seems recorded at too low a level, requiring one to turn the volume up almost all the way to hear any details except in the loudest sections. "Mozartiana" is much better, thanks to a clearer and fuller sound and focused microphone placement. However, most listeners will be disappointed by the mediocre recording of the Fourth, and since there is no shortage of exceptional recordings of that work, this CD is most suitable for diehard fans of the conductor and the orchestra.
© TiVo