This
is quite a hard-edged version of the symphony. If you have tired
of readings that swoon too easily then this is for you. The brutal
assaults of the Introduction and even the Chant d'Amour
will give you a representative impression of the approach.
Personally I prefer a less objective stance.
This
all seems too deconstructed and cool. There should be a more sensual
dazzle to the playing. The ondes martenot is very discretely balanced
too which is a pity though I grant you that this probably gives
a much fairer picture of how you might hear the instrument in
a concert hall. Even the famous Joie du sang des etoiles seems
coldly stirring rather than passionate.
Paul
Crossley is typically brilliant but Tristan Murail's ondes martenot
sounds surprisingly tubby. The orchestra is magnificent. It is
just that the piece seems to lack any sensual charge.
Salonen
rather out-Boulezs Boulez and with that remark you will know now
whether or not this is for you. Personally I prefer the Previn
version or even the original Ozawa now on BMG's Artistes+Répertoires
label coupled with two Roussel symphonies.
Rob
Barnett
Paul Crossley (piano)