Product Overview
Iván Fischer / Rachmaninov - Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27, Vocalise No. 14, Op. 34 / Budapest Festival Orchestra / Channel Classics Audio CD 2004 / CCS SA21698
UPC 723385216988
Product Details:
Iván Fischer (born 20 January 1951) is a Hungarian conductor and composer.
Born in Budapest into a musical family of Jewish heritage, Fischer initially studied piano, violin, cello and composition in Budapest. His older brother, Ádám Fischer, became a conductor in his own right. He moved later to Vienna to study conducting with Hans Swarowsky at the University of Music and Performing Arts, where he also studied cello and early music, studying and working as assistant to Nikolaus Harnoncourt. He also studied with Franco Ferrara at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena.
In 1976, Fischer won the Rupert Foundation conducting competition in London. He began thereafter to guest-conduct such British orchestras as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony and the London Symphony Orchestra, with whom he conducted a world tour in 1982. His US conducting debut was with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1983.
Tracklist:
| 1 | Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27 - Largo/Allegro Moderato |
18:19 |
| 2 | Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27 - Allegro Molto | 10:08 |
| 3 | Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27 - Adagio | 14:02 |
| 4 | Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27 - Adagio Vivace | 14:19 |
| 5 |
Vocalise No. 14, Op. 34 - Lentamente | 6:44 |
Review:
This is the finest recording of the Rachmaninov Second Symphony I've heard. Fischer succeeds in treading the fine line between emotional over-indulgence and emotional reticence, the latter of which afflicts the highly-praised Pletnev recording with the Russian National Orchestra. Only Andre Previn's 70s recording with the LSO has Fischer's interpretative virtues - rhythmic vigour combined with enough rubato to let Rachmaninov's melodies blossom. The playing is exemplary, burnished strings and a really cultured contribution from the woodwind. But when power is required the brass and percussion are not found wanting.
I'm bemused by the reviews below which criticize the sound of this disc. I don't know what equipment my fellow reviewers were listening on but on my own system - top-of-the-range Sony 9000ES SACD player and digital amplifier using the all digital I-link connection through five floorstanding speakers and an MJ Acoustics Reference 1 subwoofer - the sound was excellent. The soundstage is wide with plenty of back to front depth. If someone believes the sound of this disc is "muffled" then I suspect it's their equipment that's the problem.
In the disc's booklet notes Fischer says that he prefers to hear discs in which the recording is made from the conductor's point of view - with the instruments surrounding him. The Channel Classics engineers obliged with a special 5 channel microphone to record the "Vocalise" miniature. I found this very impressive - woodwind centre, violins and violas left and right, cellos and basses through the rear speakers. What a pity the didn't record the Symphony through this mic - it would have been even better. As it is, if you're looking for a state of the art recording of the symphony then don't hesitate.
- Composed By – Rachmaninov
- Conductor – Iván Fischer
- Performer – Budapest Festival Orchestra
