Collections of Suppé Overtures have been a staple of
the catalogues since the introduction of LPs. Solti recorded
one in 1951 in one of his earliest recordings with the London
Philharmonic Orchestra, and distinguished discs by Barbirolli
and Karajan are still worth hearing. There are also numerous
recordings of individual Overtures and at the other extreme
a Marco Polo set of all of the composer’s Overtures. To
be a success a new disc needs to have some special qualities
to distinguish it from its predecessors. Here those particular
qualities are an interesting choice of contents and a splendidly
clear and forward recording. All the expected favourites are
here - (in translation) Light Cavalry, The Queen of
Spades, Poet and Peasant, The Beautiful Galatea
and Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna - together with
the less frequently played Boccaccio, The Model,
Isabella and also several Marches and other short pieces.
It makes for an entertaining collection, albeit one that is
best not played as a whole.
The performances are always alert, sharply focused and carefully
balanced, with tempi well chosen. I do however sense a lack
of the kind of commitment and sharpness of characterisation
that is found in the best of earlier discs of this material.
There is never any doubt about the accuracy or precision of
the playing but somehow it seems somewhat impersonal for much
of the time.
I should however qualify this by saying that this is very much
my own reaction. Others to whom I have played it have enjoyed
it much more, and I would not wish to exaggerate my concerns.
It is certainly a well chosen, well recorded and well annotated
collection, played with enviable precision, and as such it is
a welcome addition to the catalogue even if you were to share
my views.
John Sheppard
see also review by Rob
Barnett
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Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Neeme Järvi 
[79:42] 