Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony No. 9 in E minor From the New World (1893) [38:45]
Georges ENESCO (1881-1955)
Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A major, Opus 11 No. 1 (1901) [11:57]
Romanian Rhapsody No. 2 in D major, Opus 11 No. 2 (1902) [11:32]
Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française (Dvorak)/Constantin Silvestri
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Enesco)/Constantin Silvestri
rec. (symphony) 10 July 1957, Salle Wagram, Paris; (Enesco) February 1956,
Rudolfinum, Prague
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR499 [62:57] 
As a Bournemouth schoolchild who attended most of the BSO's concerts during
the Constantin Silvestri era, I have been thrilled to see in recent years
the release of several BBC Legends CDs of their live performances; not to
mention the radio broadcasts issued on Nimbus.
I was just a bit too young fully to appreciate Silvestri's genius, but I was
definitely aware that there was something very special about him. We should
remember how he put Bournemouth on the map – to the extent of a fantastic
reception at the Edinburgh Festival. Nobody would dispute the fact that nowadays
the orchestra is technically superior in every department, yet there have
been no more appearances at the Edinburgh Festival. The way Silvestri inspired
his orchestra to play beyond themselves was quite extraordinary.
In passing, before I move on to the present CD, I might mention a couple of
parallels with Barbirolli, though the two musicians were utterly different
in many respects. Both he and Silvestri worked with a provincial British orchestra
and achieved thrilling, moving and intensely musical results – not always
the last word in technical precision, but deeply satisfying in terms of musical
character. Both conductors were happy to make music with an orchestra which
had grown familiar with their respective ways. Neither particularly desired
a permanent move to a musical capital – though both worked as a guest with
some of the very greatest orchestras in the world.
Silvestri recorded the New World twice with this French orchestra - this CD
is a re-mastering of the first LP.
This performance may not be found in the 10-CD box Constantin Silvestri:
The Collection, so it will be particularly welcome to collectors. Incidentally,
it is well worth reading the on-line
comments of a Mr. Jeffrey Lipscomb from Sacramento regarding this Silvestri
box (Disky DB 707432). Both the French orchestral playing (woodwind intonation,
for instance) and the recording quality are far from ideal, but we should
be grateful simply to have more Silvestri on disc. In fact, in terms of commitment
the French orchestra play as though their lives are at stake. This is a different
world from so many dozens of bland, routine performances of this over-exposed
symphony. As he did with so much standard repertoire, Silvestri creates an
amazing freshness based on deep love and sincerity and embracing fiery passion
and exquisite tenderness. His phrasing and handling of rhythm could be idiosyncratic,
but these are the very qualities which give such character to some of the
greatest performances.
How often do we hear the beginning of this symphony so achingly beautiful
and heartfelt, the strings' fortissimo outbursts so violent? The Allegro
molto begins with a terrific sense of purpose, creating an electricity
which is sustained throughout. The slow movement is so often drearily sentimental,
but Silvestri returns to us the original beauty of this music, its touching
simplicity.
With explosive timpani strokes like gunshots, the scherzo bristles with energy.
Listen to the delightful buoyancy of the accompanying strings at the Poco
sostenuto, the ideally naïve character of this whole passage. Then, at
Figure 5, Silvestri's rubato gives little kicks to the rhythm and the violins'
trills are characteristically pointed as a result. The opening of the finale
(Allegro con fuoco) is truly fiery, with incisive brass, and again
one is struck by the amazing commitment of the players. As our Mr. Lipscomb
observed about another of Silvestri's recordings, you can really hear that
the orchestra want to play for him. It is all marvellously alive – fresh,
full-blooded, demonic in its intensity where it matters, and tenderly naïve
at such points as the new bassoon melody after figure 10 (Un poco sostenuto).
Silvestri demonstrates that even an over-familiar work can still create a
sense of wonder.
Nobody performed the Enesco pieces, especially the First Rhapsody, like Silvestri.
I defy anyone to sit still throughout this Czech performance, such is the
excitement generated. His Bournemouth performance from the Royal Festival
Hall (BBC
Legends) is absolutely essential, but on the other hand the Czech Philharmonic
had a unique sound at this time.
There are no CD notes of any kind, but it is to be hoped that the disc itself
will be a revelation to any listeners unfamiliar with Silvestri's genius.
Philip Borg-Wheeler
A revelation to any listeners unfamiliar with Silvestri's genius.