I greatly admired and
enjoyed Vasily Petrenko's recording of Elgar's first symphony
with the Liverpool Philharmonic and waited impatiently for his
recording of the more complex second symphony that Petrenko recorded
in 2016. It arrived today and was given an immediate hearing. I was
not disappointed; it's a magnificent reading (and recording) of the work.
Elgar is not easy to
conduct. His music needs to keep moving, and needs a conductor who
can grade the dynamics in what is a long work weighing in at over one
hour. Petrenko succeeds in Elgar, just as he succeeds in
Shostakovich. I continue to be amazed at the prowess of the Liverpool
Philharmonic under Petrenko's baton. In particular, the brass and the
woodwind impress. In the last analysis, perhaps the violins could do
with more Russian or German heft at the main climaxes (for example, the
wonderful moment towards the end of the larghetto when the first
violins swoop down, fortissimo, from on high). But, on this evidence,
not many orchestras could equal the Liverpudlians under Petrenko in
this music.
By coincidence, the
last performance of this work I listened to was also by a Petrenko;
Kirill Petrenko (no relation, except both Petrenkos – or Petrenki –
are Russian) conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. That also was
excellent. Perhaps Elgar appeals to Petrenki. Their conducting of
Elgar certainly appeals to me.
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